Burnet boys soccer tops Florence, loses to Austin Achieve

CAPTION: The Burnet Bulldogs earn a valuable win against Florence in District 25-4A to remain in the playoff hunt. Courtesy photo

The Burnet High School boys soccer team beat Florence 3-1 Feb. 21 after losing to Austin Achieve 8-0 Feb. 17. 

Against Florence, the Bulldogs “started the game confidently and had a big wind to help propel the attack,” head coach Benjamin Boorman said.

“The boys must have been a little hesitant to shoot as they seemed to be waiting for the perfect opportunity. However, they were dominant in their possession.”

Jahir Benitez controlled possession in the midfield and found Hector Arredondo often. Arredondo dished the ball to cousins Cleto Leon and Lisandro Olvera, who fed the ball into the box.

Victor Aviles was moved to wing to apply more pressure, “and this worked like a charm,” Boorman said.

As a result, Aviles netted a goal to start the scoring.

Olvera scored the second goal off a brilliant corner kick set piece from Arredondo.

Eric Hernandez “shot a cracker of a goal off a good cross from Leon,” Boorman said, to complete Burnet’s scoring.

Florence added a meaningless goal.

Aviles “was definitely the man of the match,” the coach said.

Against Achieve, Boorman said the Bulldogs stepped on the pitch “with a defensive mindset.”

“We knew that they were a good side, so we tried to play a counter attack game,” he said. “The first half was a battle, releasing no goals in the run of play.”

That forced the Polar Bears to score on a corner kick and a penalty kick with 30 seconds left in the half for a 2-0 lead.

The Bulldogs “tried for a more conventional approach,” Boorman said, by pushing forward to score goals.

“Austin Achieve sniffed this out very quickly and began attacking the goal in numbers,” he said.

Packing in the box led to the final score.

“The boys gave their full effort,” Boorman said. “I am extremely proud of how hard the boys worked in this game.” 

The junior varsity beat Florence 2-1 to win its first district game and lost to Achieve 5-0.

Against Florence, Dwight Lopez scored both goals with linkup play from Josvanny Ramirez and Eliel Silva.

Florence got one back off a defensive mistake. Just when it seemed the Bulldogs would suffer the fate as the last game, Aiden Morrison came up big with saves.

“The JV boys were out for revenge after losing the first meeting in heartbreaking fashion,” Boorman said.

Bruce Gonzales started the attacks with his speed from the right wing. Tres Maltos “played some good one-time touches into the box,” Boorman said.

And Lopez put shot after shot in and eventually the Dawgs were able to capitalize.

Boorman noted the Bulldogs “played hard, but in the end were not able to withstand the attack of Austin Achieve.” 

Morrison made 15 great saves in the game, and Luis Sanchez played like a warrior on defense. Lopez played a strong game, winning the ball back from the Polar Bears, but just couldn’t find players open to pass to.

Burnet welcomes Jarrell Friday, Feb. 24, to Bulldog Field in a doubleheader with the Lady Dawgs. 

The boys junior varsity plays at 4 p.m., the Lady Dawgs follow at 5 p.m., and the boys varsity takes the field at 7:30 p.m.

“A win against Jarrell would guarantee a playoff spot,” Boorman said. 

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