Lion Soccer recognizes Varsity seniors

By Alonzo Garza
POST-REGISTER

The Lockhart Lions Men’s Soccer team hosted the Smithville Tigers in district play on Tuesday, Feb. 19. Tuesday was also “Senior Night,” and this season’s seniors were honored in a short ceremony before the varsity match. Varsity Lion seniors honored were Wade Meier, Jose Jaimes, Dustin Mills, Gabe Atwell and Bobby Henriks

on.
The Lions faced the Tigers on Tuesday playing aggressively for the entire game. The match was tough for both teams. The final score was 0-0. The Lions also traveled to Pflugerville Hendrickson to face the Hawks on Friday, Feb. 22. Lions fell 6-0 on the road.

Lions vs. Tigers
The Lions came out quick against the Tigers, playing excellent defense and possessing the ball well in the midfield. Most of the first half was played at the Tigers’ end of the field, but the Lions could not get the ball in the net. Jose Gonzalez put a great shot off the crossbar and redirected a header off a corner at goal, only to have it hit the Tiger keeper in the hands. The first half ended in a scoreless tie.
“Keep it up, we’re doing everything right,” Coach Ramez Antoun yelled. “Let’s find the net in the second half!”
The second half started with the Tigers on the offensive, but the Lion defense was able to turn the Tigers away. Keeper Mauricio Gutierrez made a couple of key saves preserving his third shutout of the season.
Defenders Bobby Henrikson, Johnny Juarez, Gabe Atwell and Robbie Clifton turned in one of their best performances of the year. Wing Bobby Williams played an extremely intelligent and aggressive game, as did sophomore Cristobal Ocampo and freshman Moses Ramirez. The match ended 0-0.

Lions vs. Hawks
The Lions traveled to Pflugerville on Friday, Feb. 22 to take on the Hendrickson Hawks.
The Hawks established their pace early in the game against an injury-riddled Lion team. Despite their best efforts, the Lions found themselves at a deficit early on. By halftime, the Hawks led 3-0.
“We worked on beating a flat defense all week,” Antoun said at the half. “Let’s put our plan into action and attack at the edges, work the ball to the wings and attack from there.”
The Lions came back on to the field with a great attitude in the second half, and their positive attitude stayed with them throughout the entire game. Junior Mathew Carneiro, who is coming off an injury and wearing an ankle brace, did his best to jump-start the Lion offense and creating scoring chances for his teammates. Williams continued his steady play, and super-sub Dustin Mills played everywhere on the field. Still, in the end the Lions fell 6-0.
“I am very proud of the way you all played the entire 80 minutes,” Antoun said to his team. “You could have quit trying, but you toughed it out the whole way through. Even the opposing coach said so.”
The Varsity Lions traveled to New Braunfels for a non-district game on Tuesday, Feb. 26 and will travel to Manor on Friday, Feb. 29. Check next week’s Post-Register for scores and highlights.
See you at the game.
agarza@post-register.com