Junior Varsity Lions shock Hays, beat Del Valle

By Alonzo Garza
POST-REGISTER

After hard-fought games against the Hays Rebels on Tuesday, Feb. 5, and Del Valle Cardinals on Friday, Feb. 8, the Junior Varsity Lions soccer team is on a roll. The JV Lions beat Hays 3-0 and Del Valle 2-1.
Against the JV Hays Rebels, Cristobal O’Campo, Edwin Castelan and Moses Ramirez each found the back of the net during

the first half of play.
Not wanting his team to rest on their laurels, Coach Brad Robbins told his Lions the 3-0 lead was nice, but great play on defense was going to be needed to preserve the victory.
After the halftime break and pep talk, great defense was exactly what Robbins got from his team. James Borak and the rest of the Lions played well. Their outstanding defense preserved their 3-0 lead until the end.
The Lions fell behind to the Del Valle Cardinals 0-1 early in the second half on Friday night. Sheer determination and willpower brought them back from a potential loss.
Castelan took a hard foul and received a free kick. He scored his first goal of the year to tie the game at 1-1.
After a couple of great plays, the Lions answered the call late in the game with a final goal by sweeper Borak from 45 yards out for a “come from behind” win and a score of 2-1. The Lions also received great play from their goalkeeper Eduardo Mendieta.
“I could not be more proud of the way the guys played tonight,” Robbins said “I told the guys that opportunity presents itself when you are ready, and tonight we were ready. It was a total team effort. I have been telling them to be patient and the goals will come when we learn how to play together as a team.”
The team heads into a crucial week of play against Pflugerville Connally on Tuesday, Feb. 12 and Kyle Lehman on Friday, Feb. 15. The team’s record is now 3-2 in district play. The JV-B team hosts Hays at Lion Stadium on Thursday, Feb 14.
See you at the game.
agarza@post-register.com