Burnet boys soccer show great effort in losses

The Burnet High School boys soccer team lost to Fredericksburg 3-0 Jan. 12 and to Cooperas Cove 3-0 Jan. 9.

Head coach Benjamin Boorman noted the contest against Fredericksburg was rematch of a Billies’ 7-1 win a year ago.

“Varsity knew that this was going to be a tough game,” he said. “The boys were also short their starting central midfield.  The boys accepted the challenge and proceeded to block a barrage of 10 opening shots by the Billies. After that we turned up the pressure and started our scoring opportunities.”

The coach credited Victor Aviles, Genesis Ceron and Miguel Valdez, who “all had great chances and some breakaways” to ensure a scoreless first half.  

“It was clear that Fredericksburg was frustrated,” he said. 

The game remained deadlocked until the last 15 minutes. Fredericksburg “finally got lucky with a shot bouncing off a deflection to the perfect spot for their striker,” Boorman said.

“The boys were exhausted from chasing all the counter attacks,” he said. 

The Billies also were awarded a penalty kick because of a hand ball by a Burnet defender in the box. Fredericksburg converted a free kick from about 25 yards out with 5 minutes remaining. 

Still, Boorman was proud of his players’ play.

“This was a tremendous team effort and the scoreline really does not exemplify the evenness of this game,” he said. “This is a great confidence builder because this is the team that we could face in the first round of the playoffs, and we know that we will be ready.”

Boorman said the Bulldogs had some chances to score against Copperas Cove.

“Varsity started off the game well,” he said. “Victor had a few shots blocked, and Genesis had the closest look at a goal but couldn’t finish. Marco Campos, Christian Flores and Genesis had good shots in the second half. “

Rigo Valdez was defending well when the Copperas Cove left wing took a dive with no contact in the box. “Unfortunately, the referee called for a penalty,” the coach said, “making the game 1-0.”

He noted that  Lisandro Olvera “had a learning moment” on Copperas Cove’s second goal.

Olvera was making his first start at left back after Jose Flores’ unfortunate season ending injury, Boorman said, when Cove scored on a mistake in formation.

With 10 minutes left in the game, Cove converted a goal from a corner kick. 

“This was the first goal given up on a corner this year by the boys,” Boorman said. 

The Burnet junior varsity lost to Fredericksburg 5-1 and to Copperas Cove 2-1.

Samuel Rodriguez scored the Bulldogs’ lone goal against the Billies.

“(Rodriguez) scored a real amazing goal that was ripped from 20 yards out on a full sprint,” Boorman said. “The ball struck the near post and finished in the side netting on the other side of the goal. The boys played well, but were very short handed due to injuries.”

Against Copperas Cove, Sebastian Mendez hit a “beautiful curler into the near post over the keeper’s head from 25 yards out,” Boorman said. “Julius Nava had a great game as usual at center back.”

Because of weather, the match against Killeen Ellison scheduled for Jan. 16 is cancelled. The varsity will play in the Fischer Canyon Lake tournament Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 18-20. The junior varsity is hosting its first Burnet JV Classic.

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