Marble Falls boys soccer wins area match
CAPTION: Marble Falls senior Diego shoots and scores from about the eight-yard line in the first half during the win against San Antonio Fox Tech. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
The Marble Falls High School boys soccer team crushed San Antonio Fox Tech 5-0 March 28 in the area round of the Class 4A playoffs.
“This is a group of kids that is a special group,” head coach Rick Hoover said. “They don’t require a whole lot of motivation. There are 15 seniors on this team. It’s a special group.”
The Mustangs (21-1-2-1, 10-0 District 25-4A champions) will meet Boerne High (19-0, 10-0 District 26-4A champion) at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, at Fischer Canyon Lake in the regional quarterfinals.
It’s a rematch of last year’s playoff match where the Greyhounds prevailed 2-1.
“They’re No. 1 this year,” Hoover said of the Greyhounds. “They’ve been ranked No. 1 all year.”
The Mustangs set the tone quickly against Fox Tech.
Senior Kash Bussaraporn scored within seconds of the match starting thanks to an assist from senior Garrett Goggans. Senior Ivan Espino added the next goal with an assist from senior Seth Parker for a 2-0 advantage.
Marble Falls added another goal when senior Diego Mata scored off a ricochet with 6:22 left in the half for a 3-0 advantage at the intermission.
The Mustangs found the back of the net 21 seconds into the second half when Goggans put the ball into the left corner of the net on an assist from junior Esteban Dominguez.
Four minutes later, Mata scored his second goal when he took possession of the ball from about the 50 and weaved his way through the defense to get to the Fox Tech box. He faked a shot as he took a step to his left for a better angle and clear path to the back of the net and the 5-0 win.
The majority of the contest was played on the Fox Tech’s side of the 50-yard line where the Mustangs’ speed was on full display. They outran the Buffaloes to the ball numerous times. The Mustangs controlled everything: the ball, the pace, the tempo, the midfield, the outer edges and the Buffaloes’ box. That was apparent when Goggans was double teamed in a corner and managed to get out of it without committing a foul or losing control of the ball.
To say it frustrated Fox Tech is an understatement. Finally one of its players yelled in irritation, “That’s one player.”
“That’s what you go for,” Hoover said. “You usually don’t get that until about 20 or 30 minutes in. We were able to get that tempo early. I think we were faster and a little more athletic than them. They have good kids and respectful kids. They have some young kids. Give those kids another year, and they’re going to be better.”
Meanwhile senior goalie Isaac Laranaga and the defense kept the Buffaloes from finding the back of the net on the few shots they attempted.
“We work on those shutouts,” Hoover said. “Two goals in soccer is like 14 points in football. Every goal is significant. We have a good group. We’ve had some of the best defenders we’ve ever had.”
Marble Falls played both of its playoff matches in the friendly confines of Mustang Stadium where hundreds witnessed the performanes.
“That’s a really good crowd for a soccer game in Marble Falls,” the coach said. “I’m thrilled the kids get to experience that. It’s pretty significant. We have such a good chemistry (on the team). They’re phenomenal kids. We’re very fortunate. You don’t get groups like this often.”
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CAPTION: Marble Falls senior Garrett Goggans finds the back of the net for the Mustangs’ fourth goal. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
