SALLISAW BLACK DIAMONDS
Coach: Sinue Rodriguez
OUTLOOK
“I will have a very dynamic team,” said Sallisaw boys’ soccer head coach Sinue Rodriguez. “I have very talented players. Very balanced and matured team!”
At the center of that balance is Wesley Rodriguez, one of the top goal scorers in the state. “Wesley is a senior this year,” Rodriguez said. “Very talented player that has a winning mentally. He scored 43 goals last season and is 3 away from 100 career goals. He is a great leader and does everything to help out his team!”
Defensively, the Black Diamonds lean on underclassman standout Cristan “Cito” Morales to anchor the back line. “Sophomore – He is the leader in the back line,” Rodriguez said. “Very strong and smart defender. He is very hard to get passed by. Offensively he will be a threat on corners, and he has good ball control. He has great composure when coming out from the back.”
Ethan Girdner provides crucial leadership and creativity. “Ethan is a very respectful young man,” Rodriguez said. “He is new to the program but since he has been on the team he has shown great leadership and has made everyone better. Always has a great attitude and always with a smile on his face. On the field he generates a lot of our attacks. Good things happen when Ethan has the ball!”
Senior Rustyn Romero adds experience and poise on the back line for Sallisaw. “Four-year starter, left back,” Rodriguez said. “He is great leader on the back line. He directs a lot of the traffic in the back. Great game awareness and can handle high pressure!”
Around that core, Rodriguez said the Black Diamonds’ talent, maturity and balance position them for another strong campaign as they look to capitalize on Wesley’s scoring, Morales’ defending, Girdner’s creativity and Romero’s stability to power a dynamic lineup in 2026.
