MFHS Soccer takes Lanier in overtime
Richard Zowie/The Highlander
The Marble Falls Boys Soccer Team is exhuberant and all smiles late on March 29 after defeating Austin Lanier in bi-district play. After two overtimes and 1-1 tie coming the Stangs came frombehind to tie Austin Lanier at a goal apiece, kept them tied for two overtime periods and then won the match, 4-3, on penalty kicks in overtime. Next for the Mustangs will be Victoria East Tuesday, April 3.
By Richard Zowie
Highlander Sports Editor
In their March 29 bi-district soccer playoff game, both Marble Falls and Austin Lanier each received at least one yellow card (a warning, as opposed to a red card, which means ejection).
“I wasn’t surprised at all,” said Mustangs Soccer Coach Rick Hoover. “That is what you expect in the playoffs. Both teams were fighting for their season to not end.”
After the Vikings scored in the first half to take a 1-0 lead, the Mustangs scored about halfway through the second half to tie the game at 1.
It stayed that way through several near-misses by both teams in two, 10-minute overtime periods, before Marble Falls ultimately won in a penalty shootout, 4-3.
“We indeed had a very difficult time scoring,” Hoover said. “Sometimes it just goes that way, we had many chances to put the game away but just could not find the back of the net. We knew this team was very good and I knew they would bring their best effort to Marble Falls.”
Trailing by a goal in the second half, Marble Falls finally got onto the board on a corner kick. Bernabe Torres scored a header from the corner kick, supplied by Christian Ammons.
In the penalty shootout, Andrew Rodriguez, Fortino Tinajera, Torres and Ammons supplied the goals while goalkeeper Michael Vasquez kept Lanier from finding too much of the net.
“I felt we played very well, but maybe a little nervous in the first half,” Hoover said. “If we could have converted our opportunities I think we could have made it a little stressful for everyone. Our goalie, Michael Vazquez saved the game for us during the shootout. He was able to save two penalty kicks, which is unbelievable. He stepped up and was the hero at the end.”
Victoria East
As much of a challenge as Lanier presented, Hoover expects more of the same April 3 at 7 p.m. against Victoria East. The game will be played at Seguin High School.
“Victoria East has had a great year and dominated their district,” the coach said. “We will certainly have our hands full on Tuesday night.”
