The Hays boys soccer team struggled at times during district play this season but rallied in a big way to capture the District 49-4A title for the second straight year. Also for the second consecutive year, the Rebels will play at Manor in the bi-district playoff round. The match is scheduled to begin Friday at 7:30 p.m. (photo by Teresa Williams)
Lehman’s Eli Guajardo makes a move down the sideline during a recent match. The Lobos will play at Pflugerville Connally in the bi-district round of the playoffs Friday night, beginning at 8 p.m. (photo by Judy Cooper)
By JASON GORDON
The Hays High boys soccer team clinched its second straight district title with a 1-0 win at Cedar Creek Friday night.
Thanks to a Christian Varela first-half goal against Cedar Creek, the Rebels advance to play at Manor in the bi-district playoffs Friday at 7:30 p.m. Last year, the Rebels knocked off Manor 5-1 in the bi-district round.
As a result, the Lehman boys finish third in district and will play Pflugerville Connally Friday night in the bi-district round at Connally beginning at 8 p.m.
“It feels good to win district back to back,” said Hays captain Jake Morrison. “We worked hard and we feel like we deserved it. Now, we’re hoping to do well in the playoffs and go far. I think we have a good chance to do that.”
Last year, Hays had clinched the district title before spring break and had a stellar 21-1-1 record in the regular season. This year, the Rebels faced a few more ups and downs during their regular-season journey but the end result was the same.
“It was pretty wild heading into our last game knowing if we won or tied we were district champs and if we lost we were probably going to finish fourth,” Hays head coach Jason Burnett said. “We definitely faced some adversity with a few losses this year but I think that made us stronger. We found out what our players and our team is made of. They are a tough and determined group. I think we are ready for the playoffs and I expect us to do well.”
Lehman still hasn’t won a playoff game in a team sport since the school opened in 2004. The Lobo boys soccer team has made the playoffs four times now.
The Lehman boys soccer team almost broke the streak last year but suffered a heartbreaking loss to Elgin in the bi-district round in a shootout that lasted nine players deep.
“I think it would be great for all our students if we started to have playoff success,” Lehman head coach Jay Sansom said. “I think it builds morale and it’s great to have everyone behind you when you get on a roll in the playoffs. We have the talent, and we’ve been close to winning in the playoffs before. Now it’s just a matter of going out and getting it done.”
