Varsity Lions improve season record against Elgin, Manor

Lions v. Elgin
The Lockhart Lions men”s soccer team traveled to Elgin on Friday for a district game against the Wildcats. The Lions came into the game after defeating Manor, and Elgin came in after a loss to Hendrickson.
“These guys are in first place in district, plus we haven”t beaten this team in three years,” Coach Antoun told the team before the game. “That

covers seven games, including one in the playoffs. If that doesn”t get you up for this game, I don”t know what will.”
The contest began with Elgin on the offensive. As has been a pattern this season, the Lions sat back on defense to start the game as they got a feel for what the Wildcats were trying to do. This was the fastest team the Lions have faced all year, and the defense had to pick up the pace to stay with the speedy Elgin forwards. Goalkeeper David Moore did his part in keeping the game scoreless early, making several impressive saves while the defense adjusted. As the match went on, the Lions adjusted to the speed of the Wildcats and began mounting an attack of their own, with Jorge Guerrero and Bobby Williams nearly linking up for an early goal. Twenty-three minutes into the game, however, the Wildcats took advantage of a defensive breakdown down the right side and took the lead 1-0. Elgin them possessed the ball into the Lions” end, but the Lions countered with an attack of their own, resulting in a free kick from 30 yards out. Senior Alex Pfefferkorn blasted a long shot past the Elgin keeper, notching his fourth goal of the year. The half ended in a 1-1 tie.
“We”re ok,” Antoun said at the half. “We”re playing well; we all just have to do our part. Keep passing, use your teammates, and let”s get a win tonight.”
The second half began with the Lions on the attack. The Lions moved the ball around, using both short and long passes while the Elgin defense scrambled to keep the game tied. As the half continued, the Wildcats were able to find their offensive flow, and seven minutes in, Elgin took the lead. The ball was crossed in from the right and an Elgin forward executed a nice chest trap and rifled the ball home for a 2-1 Wildcat lead. The game would even out at that point, and both teams were playing good soccer. Nineteen minutes into the half, the Lions earned a corner kick on the left side. Sophomore Cameron Peters put a good cross to the back pole, and senior Christyan Gutierrez was there to chip the ball over the outstretched hands of the keeper to knot the game, 2-2. The remainder of the game offered several chances for both teams, especially in the final minutes with the Wildcats on the attack. In the end, the game ended 2-2.
“We played well!” Antoun said after the game. “Cody Fehlis did a great job adjusting his game tonight to help us on defense, and Jose Jaimes and Gabe Atwell turned in gritty performances. Great job everyone. Have a great weekend!”
The Lions are currently 2-1-2 in district play and 2-3-2 overall. The Lions faced the Hays Rebels at home on Tuesday before traveling to Del Valle on Friday. Check next week”s Post-Register for full details on the games.

Lions v. Manor
The Lockhart Lion varsity soccer team faced off against the Manor Mustangs last Tuesday night at Lion Stadium.
“Manor is an unpredictable team,” said Coach Antoun before the game. “They have played every game close and they have a position to win. We cannot take them lightly. Besides, these guys beat us last year.”
Unfortunately, this game started as many have for the Lions, with the opponent dominating the pace of the game. In another familiar tune, the Lions found themselves trailing early. Four minutes into the game the Mustangs broke through a lazy Lion midfield and netted a shot for a 1-0 lead, and it did not stop there. The Mustangs continued to dominate play, and if it were not for good defensive play of Gabe Atwell, Robbie Clifton, and Cody Fehlis the Lions would have been down multiple goals. After making substitutions in the midfield, the Lions started to play the brand of soccer they are capable of playing. Led by sophomore Jacob Berry, the Lions began to come to life, challenging for every ball and creating scoring chances. Twenty minutes into the game, the Lions pulled even. Junior Jorge Guerrero stole a throw-in in the Manor end and made a good move to his right. Jorge rolled the ball past a diving keeper for a 1-1 tie, and that score would carry the game to halftime.
“We need to play the second half the way we finished the first half,” Antoun told the Lions at the halftime break. “Let”s take a hint from Jacob and play with some aggressiveness, a little heart.”
The second half began much as the game did, with the Mustangs on the attack. It took seven minutes for the Mustangs to pull ahead, this time off of a corner kick and a failed clearance. This goal seemed to awaken the Lions, and the rest of the game was nothing short of a dominating performance by the entire squad. Eight minutes later, the Lions again pulled even. Sophomore Matthew Carneiro passed a good ball into space to a streaking David Moore down the right side. Moore took advantage of a mental error by the keeper to pull the game even at two. Twenty-two minutes into the second half the “Matthew Carneiro Show” officially began. Moore put a long throw into Carneiro at the Manor end. Carniero spun and shot, and the Lions were up 3-2. Four minutes later, Moore again assisted on a Carneiro goal, this time on a crossing pass from the corner. Carneiro back-heeled the ball home for a 4-2 lead. Four minutes later, Carneiro closed the scoring, this time unassisted on a chip shot from the right side that sailed just out of reach of the Mustang keeper and into the net. The Lions won, 5-2.
“Great team effort, and some great individual efforts,” Coach Antoun said. “Jacob Berry really stepped up, and so did Matthew Carneiro. Matthew was actually benched in the first half because of poor play, and he was told he”d get a chance to get it right. He really took advantage of his opportunities tonight.”
(Courtesy of Ramez Antoun)