Marble Falls boys soccer beats Burnet
CAPTION: Marble Falls soccer player Isaac Larranaga does plenty for the Mustangs that goes beyond being the goal keeper. Photo by Shaunna Marcum/Mixed Media Artist Photographer Designer at ShaunnaLisa, Cliffhanger Loop Productions
The Marble Falls High School boys soccer team beat Burnet 6-0 Feb. 13 to end the first round of District 25-4A play.
The Mustangs (13-2, 5-0), who are atop of the district standings, led 3-0 at halftime.
Esteban Dominguez scored two goals, while Diego Mata, Garrett Goggans, Kash Bussaraporn and Aiden Walker also scored. Diego Mata and Dominguez also recorded two assists each, while Presiliano Suarez and Issac Larranaga had the other two.
“Our ability to keep the ball, to possess the ball is really the strangle hold of this team,” head coach Rick Hoover said. “We’re able to keep the ball in our possession, which is huge. If (the opponent doesn’t) have the ball, they can’t score. That’s been the trait of this team.”
He was especially complimentary of Mata, calling him the team’s quarterback.
“Everything goes through him, he’s the navigator of everything,” the coach said.
He compared Mata to retired National Women’s Team soccer player Julie Ertz, who was known for her ability to set up her teammates and had the willingness to do all the tasks the casual fan doesn’t notice.
“She’s responsible for so many things that she doesn’t get credit for,” Hoover said. “Only the people who really watch really know the impact she has on the game. It’s’ the setup before the assist. There are so many things that happen before that.”
Mata plays the game much like Ertz, the coach added.
“That’s what he’s very, very good at,” he said. “He scores goals and gets assists. He’s the one guy who everybody goes through. The other guys get the attention for the scoring. It’s the work in the trenches that make all the difference. Anybody who knows soccer will understand what I’m talking about.”
Hoover also was equally complimentary of the Bulldogs.
“Burnet is doing well,” he said. “The last few years they’ve been closing the gap. I know the score doesn’t necessarily look like that. They are significantly better. (Bulldogs head coach Benjamin Boorman) is doing all the right things. Their time is coming. They’re closing the gap. He has the kids playing hard.”
Marble Falls welcomes Lago Vista Friday, Feb. 16, to Mustang Stadium. The girls varsity plays at 6 p.m. with the boys varsity at 7:15 p.m.
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