Soccer team goes 2-1 at Waller tourney

By David Cich
Special to the Post-Register

Last week, the Lions boys varsity team traveled to East Texas to compete in the Waller Classic Showcase Tournament from Jan.19-20. The team finished in a 5th place tie out of 15 teams with 2 wins and 1 loss.
In the opening game on Jan. 19 at Waller ISD Stadium, the Lions beat the home team, the Waller Bulldogs, by a score of 1-0. Sophomore Chas Francis broke through the Waller defense to score in the 37th minute of the 1st half, and the Lions played strong defense to earn the team’s third shutout of the preseason. The Lions goaltender was senior Joey Kolb, who made several key saves. The Bulldogs were the runner-up in the 2017 5A state soccer playoffs.
In the second game on Jan. 19 at Prairie View A&M University, the Lions fell to the Terry Rangers (Rosenberg) by a score of 0-1. The Rangers scored the only goal in the 26th minute of the first half, and played excellent defense to keep the Lions from scoring. The Rangers competed in the 2017 Region IV-5A state soccer playoffs, losing in the second round to the Alamo Heights Mules.
In the final game on Jan. 20 at Prairie View A&M University, the Lions came from behind to defeat the 6A Cy-Fair Bulldogs. The team fell behind early on a goal by the Bulldogs in the 8th minute of the 1st half, and trailed 0-1 at halftime. The Lions finally broke through the Bulldog’s defense to tie the score 1-1 in the 15th minute of the 2nd half on a goal by junior Fabian Castro, off of an excellent assist from senior Juan Ocampo. The Lions completed their comeback on a long goal by Ocampo with less than a minute left in the game to win 2-1. The Lions finished the tournament with a record of 2 wins and 1 loss.
The team’s record for the preseason is 4 wins, 1 loss, and 2 draws. Leading scorers are Julian Ramirez (4 goals), senior Edder Guerrero (3 goals), and sophomore Chas Francis (2 goals). In seven games the Lions have outscored their opponents 13-6, for a goals against average of less than one goal per game.
“It was great to earn some tough wins during preseason,” said Head Coach David Ramos, “But now our focus is on competing with the top teams in our district.”
On Friday, Jan. 26, the Lions will be hosting the annual alumni game at 6 p.m. at Lions Stadium. The Lions boys and girls varsity will challenge Lions alumni players in a match for bragging rights.
The Lions open up their district season at home against the Seguin Matadors on Tuesday, Jan. 30.  For the district season, JV games will begin at 5 p.m., and Varsity games will begin at 6:45 p.m. District 26-5A includes Lockhart, Alamo Heights, Boerne Champion, Dripping Springs, Kerrville Tivy, Marble Falls, Medina Valley and Seguin.