By Moses Leos III.
Injuries and inconsistency provided for a sobering start for the Lehman High boys soccer team at the 2014 Rebel Cup. The Lobos went 0-2-1 during pool play, missing out on Championship Saturday for the first time in many years.
Lehman opened the tournament with a pair of 1-0 losses to Manor and Akins.
Injuries plagued the Lobos, who were short several players, including senior center back and captain Chris Piedra. Despite his absence, Lehman started well against Manor, playing the aggressor in the first half.
Offside calls stymied their progress. Head coach Jay Sansom said the team became hesitant to move forward.
That mentality changed when the Mustangs took the lead. From there, the Lobos pressed to get back in the game.
Lehman High soccer player Alex Martinez (6) leaps to avoid a collision during the Lobos’ first match of the 2014 Rebel Cup. Injuries and inconsistent play led to an 0-2-1 mark for the Lobos over the weekend. (Photo by Moses Leos III) |
However, the inability to keep Manor from fielding balls kicked in the air slowed progress.
“That was the big difference in the whole game,” Sansom said. “We were losing balls that could’ve put us in transition.”
A comeback was attempted, but near misses with twelve and two minutes remaining sealed the Lobos’ fate.
Lehman then tried to rebound against Akins on Thursday night; a match that featured two yellow cards being issued, one for each side.
But the Lobos struggled with Akins’ physicality in the midfield.
Albert Percastegui said the team relied on tactics that made them successful in 2013.
However, he felt the team has not adjusted to its current roster.
“We need to work on our chemistry,” Percastegui said. “We need to learn how to play without the players we had last year.”
Injury woes also stunted their ability to gel on the field.
“Injuries are always going to have an affect on how we play,” senior Fabian Mantilla said. “It affects the starting lineup, and it moves people around and putting them in positions they’re not used to.”
According to Sansom, the team tried to force more one-on-one chances by attacking the wings.
But the talents of the Eagle broke up chances. The Lobos couldn’t manufacture many shots during the game.
On defense, Lehman tried to halt the forward-moving Akins offense.
Percastegui said the team pressured Akins’ forwards and midfielders, while also respected their skill level.
But Akins struck with eight minutes left, putting Lehman on the offensive again.
A comeback was attempted, but a shot by Diego Garcia with six minutes to go was thrwarted by the crossbar – the third instance of the day it occurred to Lehman.
Pool play culminated with a match against Anderson on Friday, which saw the Lobos hold them to a 1-1 draw.
Sansom said the team performed better defensively, and moved the ball effectively down the field.
However, Anderson took the lead to start the second half, forcing the Lobos to rally.
Lehman continued to struggle to get the ball into the scoring third, but finally capitalized with five minutes left in the match. Manuel Diego scored off a Micheal Diers assist to finally get the Lobos on the board.
While it was not a win, Sansom believed the tie was a step in the right direction.
“It was good to finally get on the board,” Sansom said. “It was a tie, but it was what we needed.”
While the Lobos missed out on Saturday’s action, Sansom hopes regaining injured players will forward success.
“I told the guys, ‘it’s like we’re in a boat with holes.’ We’re trying to mend some holes and trying to get some kids healthy,” Sansom said. “When we get healthy, we’ll be pretty good.”
