Marble Falls boys soccer goes 3-0 at Governor’s Cup

The Marble Falls High School boys soccer team won all three of its games at the Governor’s Cup hosted by Georgetown High School.

The Mustangs (4-0) defeated Bastrop 3-0 Jan. 6, Pflugerville Hendrickson 5-2 Jan. 5, and Lake Belton 1-0 Jan. 4.

The event is a showcase that brings the top programs from across the state and college and university scouts who observe. Needless to say, Marble Falls head coach Rick Hoover said, organizers are selective about which teams are invited to participate.

“We’ve been playing in this showcase for several years,” he said. “You never know cause you’re still learning what your team has. It’s a new year, it’s always a fun weekend. Considering it’s early, I felt like we got into a groove.”

Garrett Goggans scored the only goal in the Lake Belton match with an assist from Esteban Dominguez.

“We did everything right but score,” Hoover said of the contest. “Our defense was wonderful. I’d have to look back. I’m not sure if they had more than two shots the whole game. We had opportunities, but we couldn’t put it in the back of the net. Our offense wasn’t clicking yet.”

He noted that game two “was the opposite.”

“We couldn’t do anything wrong,” the coach said. “Everything you put up goes in. It was one of those days where everything went right for us.”

The goals were scored by Cash Bussaratorn, Charlie Brantley and Esteban with Goggans scoring twice. Diego Mata had four assists, while Bussaratorn had the other.

“Hendrickson historically has been a really good team,” Hoover said. “They were a (Class) 6A forever.”

Marble Falls and Bastrop have developed a friendly rivalry over the years, the coach said.

“We played them consistently over the years,” he said. “We trying to play them every year. They’re always good; they’re a good scrappy team. We’re probably equal over the years.”

Goggans assisted Bussaratorn, who scored. Then Goggans found the back of the net thanks to an assist from Dominguez. Dominguez also assisted the goal scored by Ivan Espino.

Hoover said he thought the Mustangs could score as much as they wanted. But coaches wanted to see an emphasis on defense.

Still, the coach commended his players for their offensive prowess, and each Mustang is a scoring threat.

“Sometimes you have a team without that luxury,” he said. “When you have a team that has a prolific scorer, opponents can double block that guy. I have others who can do that. We’re very fortunate. I have kids sitting on the bench waiting to come in who can score.”

Marble Falls travels to Canyon Lake Tuesday, Jan. 9, with the junior varsity playing at 5:30 p.m. and the varsity at 7 p.m. The Mustangs play in the Round Rock Cedar Ridge Tournament Thursday-Saturday, jan. 11-13, at 9 a.m. each day. They face Leander Rouse Thursday, Del Valle Friday and Cedar Ridge Saturday.

Watch videos on Highland Lakes sports by going to Fierro’s YouTube channel and searching for The Broad Podcaster. Please like, subscribe and share.