Marble Falls boys soccer loses to La Vernia
CAPTION: La Vernia junior goalie Lane Green needs both hands to catch the ball as he’s surrounded by Mustangs, who are all trying to score a goal late in the second half. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
The Marble Falls High School boys soccer team lost to La Vernia 1-0 March 25 in the area round of the Class 4A Division I playoffs to end its season.
The Mustangs finish as the District 26-4A runners-up with a 7-1-2 record, 15-7-3 overall with a bi-district championship.
“They’re a team that grew,” first-year head coach Ryan Craven said. “They love each other, they played hard. They overcame adversity all year.”
La Vernia (19-4-2, 13-1 District 27-4A champion) scored the only goal of the game off a ricochet from a corner kick with 3 minutes and 13 seconds left in the first half.
The Mustangs easily out-shot the Bears throughout the contest. But La Vernia junior goal keeper Lane Green was solid in front of the net. He dived, blocked, fisted and did everything in between to protect the Bears’ lead.
Some of his blocks kept the ball on the playing field. But the Bears were quicker to it, often clearing the box to ensure Marble Falls didn’t score.
“We were off a little bit,” Craven said. “I think we started to get antsy when we got down there.”
He said he hated how the Bears scored and the reflection the goal had Marble Falls goalie Jett Marcum, who was as good throughoit the match. Marcum also fisted, blocked, dived and caught La Vernia attempts.
“He played well,” he said.
As he gathered with his players, Craven tried to comfort them.
“It hurts because you left it all on the field,” he said after the match “I’m proud of you. Seniors, I’m so proud of you, every single one of you. You developed as leaders. You’re going to be great husbands, you’re going to be great fathers because of the character you showed. You’re a special group.”
Fifteen will graduate in a few weeks.
“This is the second group I’ve had for four years,” the coach said. “It’s been very special.”
CAPTION: La Vernia junior goalie Lane Green gets a hand on this ball to throw it off its path and keep the Mustangs from scoring. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
