Highlighted by the presence of three nationally-ranked programs, Jesuit Dallas will host the 2017 Jesuit-Meintser Invitational Soccer Tournament, a three-day tournament set to begin at 1 p.m. on Thursday, January 12 at Postell Stadium.
The Rangers, ranked 11th in Texas and 22nd in the nation according to TopDrawerSoccer, will lead off the tournament against Bishop Lynch at 1 p.m., Jesuit's second consecutive game against a TAPPS opponent after Tuesday's 2-1 setback against Trinity Christian Academy. The Friars, currently 2-2-1 on the year, are coached by Mark Malancon and currently rank No. 44 in the state according to MaxPreps. On Monday, Bishop Lynch defeated Parish Episcopal, 1-0, snapping a two-game skid which included 2-0 losses to Trinity Christian on December 5 and Bishop Dunne on December 8.
No 17 North Mesquite, who defeated Jesuit in the third round of the University Interscholastic League (UIL) 6A State Tournament en route to a berth in the 6A Region II Semifinal last season, will face off against Sachse in the second game of the afternoon. Sachse is currently 2-1-0 on the year and enters the week after 2-0 wins over Wylie and Plano East.
Flower Mound Marcus and Belton kickoff the nightcap doubleheader, as Marcus enters the weekend ranked No. 21 in the nation. Winning their season opener, 1-0, over North Crowley on January 4, Marcus will face off against Belton, who last competed in the Governor's Cup in Georgetown. The Tigers lost to Waller, 3-1 in the first round, then upended Manvel, 3-2 before tying Connally, 1-1.
Jesuit's University Interscholastic League (UIL) District 9-6A rival Skyline will end the first day of competition against Fort Worth Nolan. The Raiders tied West Mesquite, 2-2, in their preseason scrimmage on January 6, and finished the 2015-16 season with a 6-11-4 overall mark.
Consolation games will begin on Friday, January 13 at 1 p.m., and the final day of competition will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 14. Jesuit's Thursday afternoon game against Bishop Lynch and Saturday bout will be broadcast live by JesuitRangers.org.
