Burnet boys soccer plays with energy, heart at Canyon Lake tourney

CAPTION: The Burnet Bulldogs are displaying the characteristics the program is known for as they now look toward District 25-4A play. Courtesy photo

The Burnet High School boys soccer team competed at the Canyon Lake Tournament Jan. 19-21 in a final tune-up before starting District 25-4A play.

The Bulldogs “have been bit by the injury bug,” according to head coach Benjamin Boorman, and had to fight through some adversity.

They lost to Gonzales 3-0 Jan. 19.

“The boys played much better defense as they put lots of pressure on the ball,” Boorman said. “The boys ramped up the energy in the second half, showing their grit.”

He noted the Bulldogs dominated the first 15 minutes, hitting the post twice while taking six shots.

“Hector Arredondo claimed the captain’s armband for this game and played like it, connecting multiple times with strikers Bruno Hernandez and Cleto Leon,” the coach said.

In the end Gonzales scored once more in the last 10 minutes off a corner kick for the 3-0 win. Gonzales won all three of its games, including against Lampasas and San Antonio Cole.

Burnet returned to the tournament the next day to take on the hosts. This was a rematch of a 3-1 Canyon Lake win in December.

This time, the Bulldogs gave the Hawks everything they could handle, Boorman said.

“The boys were really ready for this game,” he said. “The energy on the field and on the bench was electric as all bench players stood the entire game and cheered on every touch.”

Josue Ramirez won all of his 50-50 balls “and owned the defense,” Boorman said, adding that defensive midfielder Miguel Valdez “shut down all Canyon Lake attacks, while Lisandro Olvera was a general on the field and hit the post on a shot.”

Leon and Hernandez each had two opportunities in front of goal to score and “could not convert due to superb keeper play,” the coach said.

The Hawks’ lone goal came on a penalty kick from “a very light foul in the box,” Boorman said.

“It did not take away from a stellar night by the uprising star in goal, Matthew Aguayo, who has really stepped up,” he said. “The game shows the massive improvement in the boys since the beginning of the year.”

Burnet’s final game was a 7-1 loss to La Vernia.

“The Bears came into the game an overwhelming favorite, having won most of their games by over four goals and defeating Lampasas 7-0,” Boorman said. “With an early morning start it was hard to muster energy, but the Bulldogs came out and put pressure on the dominant Bears.”

In the eighth minute of the game, Leon struck from the right side and kissed the post to put the Bulldogs up 1-0.

“The boys went crazy,” the coach said. “However, this awakened the hibernating Bears, and they began the barrage. The game finished 7-1, but the Bulldogs continued to fight the whole game and had two goals called back due to offsides.”

Burnet starts District 25-4A play with a home match against Austin Achieve Tuesday, Jan. 24, at Bulldog Field. The subvarsity plays at 5 p.m. and the varsity follows at 7 p.m. It’s the first of three consecutive home matches for the Bulldogs, who welcome Florence Friday, Jan. 27, and Jarrell Tuesday, Jan. 31.

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