Lions tie Hays Rebels 0-0, fall to Del Valle Cards 1-0

By Alonzo Garza
POST-REGISTER

The Lion Varsity soccer team faced off against two district opponents last week, traveling to Hays on Tuesday, Feb. 5 before hosting Del Valle on Friday, Feb. 8. The Lions ended their match against the Rebels with a 0-0 tie. Their match against the Cardinals ended in a 1-0 loss.
Tuesday’s contest at Hays started off with the

Lions showing great improvement from recent games. The Lions worked the ball into the midfield and out to the flanks, dropping the ball to the defenders on several occasions to help keep possession.
Defenders Bobby Hendrickson and Johnny Juarez kept the Hays defense confused by making many overlapping runs. Despite being able to possess the ball, the Lions could not score against the Rebels. The first half ended in a scoreless tie.
“We have not passed that well all year!” Coach Ramez Antoun said excited about improvements in the passing game. “We need to keep it up and look to shooting the ball more!”
The second half against Hays began with the Lions showing good patience on the attack and excellent discipline on defense.
Scoring opportunities arose for both squads as the game progressed. Highlights included junior Bobby Williams’ laser shot hit at the crossbar and junior keeper Mauricio Gutierrez’s twice-a-week “Superman” impersonation as he successfully guarded the goal.
The match concluded in a 0-0 tie. Juniors James Raquet and Jacob Berry put in gritty performances in the midfield, and senior Gabe Atwell adjusted well to his new position at right wing.

Lions vs. Del Valle
Friday’s game versus Del Valle started as Tuesday’s game did, with the Lions passing and moving very well off the ball. The Lion defense was aggressive and disciplined, with junior Robbie Clifton leading the way at sweeper. In what has become a trend, the Lions had bad luck working against them, as two shots were heading into the goal but were deflected out by a Del Valle defender. With about ten minutes left and right after substitutions were made, a Del Valle wing made a run down the defensive right side. The Lion defending that player fell out of position on the play, and the Del Valle wing was able to get deep into Lion territory and shoot from point blank range. The first half ended with the Lions trailing 1-0.
“We are doing everything right,” Antoun said. “Look to shoot low and follow up all shots looking for rebounds. Defensively, we must mark the inside shoulder on the wings.”
The second half started with an offensive flurry by the Lions. Many throw-ins were earned deep in Del Valle territory. A free kick and a corner kick were almost converted into goals. Williams was struck with another bit of bad luck, beating the keeper with a low shot only to have it hit a player who had fallen on the ground. Junior captain Cameron Peters showed great touch on the ball all night, as did senior captain Jose Jaimes. However, the Lions were not able to pull even. The game ended 1-0.
The Lions played against Pflugerville Connally on Tuesday, Feb. 12 and travel to Kyle to play against Lehman on Friday, Feb. 15.
See you at the game.
agarza@post-register.com