(Left-to-right) Oscar Garcia, Oscar Martinez and Cory Bergstrom have helped set the foundation for Lehman High boys soccer for a long time. The Lobos will face Elgin in the first round of the playoffs and the three seniors are a big reason Lehman is back in the postseason after missing the big dance in 2010. Head coach Jay Sansom said it will be tough not seeing the three team captains on the field next season. The Lobos will host Elgin Friday night beginning at 7 p.m. (Photo by Valerie Guerra)
by MARK CAUL
They’ve been through it all in their four seasons at Lehman High – the wins, the losses, the injuries and the chilly early morning practices.
Three seniors who have been instrumental in building Lehman’s soccer program will play their final game in the Lobo blue-and-silver this year.
After beating Bastrop in a double-overtime shootout thriller Monday night to earn the district’s No. 2 playoff seed, Lehman will open the playoffs by hosting Elgin Friday night starting at 7 p.m.
But whether or not Lehman is hoisting the Class 4A state soccer championship trophy in Georgetown in mid-April or falls a few rounds short of its goal, it’s clear seniors Oscar Martinez, Oscar Garcia and Cory Bergstrom have all made a huge impact on the Lobo soccer program.
Martinez and Garcia have both made their mark on the offensive end while Bergstrom has made his contribution defensively.
“All three of these young men have been a big part of what we have accomplished over the last four years,” Lehman head coach Jay Sansom said. “It’s going to be very difficult to see them go because they have been great leaders for this team.”
In their first two seasons, the trio was a part of Lehman’s first-ever playoff team in 2008 and returned to the post-season again in 2009. They were fortunate to have played with several upperclassmen who helped shape the direction of Lobo soccer in Jesus Chavez, Arnie Nieto, Fernando Castro, Tanner Rojas and Juan Gordillo.
“Those guys all had winning attitudes,” Bergstrom said. “They made sure everybody was on the same page. If you didn’t work hard enough they would let you know about it.”
Bergstrom was also named Homecoming King and was a place kicker on the varsity football team this season as well.
“Cory has always been a great defensive player and has brought that intensity every season he’s been here,” Sansom said.
Oscar Martinez has been the vocal leader of the Lobos ever since he stepped on the Lehman campus. The quick-footed, skilled soccer striker has become the personality of the team and has always allowed the Lobos to compete on the field because of his ball handling skills and leadership.
When both Martinez and Garcia were lost to season-ending injuries in 2010, a once promising season quickly spiraled into one in which the Lobos missed the playoffs.
Although he has returned to the field this season, Martinez still hasn’t fully regained the scoring burst he possessed two seasons ago when he led the Lobos in goals scored. But Martinez has accepted a new role on the team and has maintained his status as one of Lehman’s vocal leaders.
Martinez exudes confidence on the field and that aspect of his personality puts many of his teammates and coaches at ease.
“Martinez doesn’t like to lose,” said Sansom. “He battles night in and night out and is always one of the first few guys on the practice field. He plays the game with such confidence.”
Meanwhile, Garcia, who suffered a serious knee injury against Round Rock Westwood back in February 2010, has also struggled to regain his form offensively and has even sat out a couple of games during the early stages of the season because of lingering effects of the injury.
Nonetheless, Garcia remains a threat to score each time he touches the ball and has been one of Sansom’s most consistent players.
“Garcia is just a flat out competitor,” Sansom said. “Once he went down last year it really took us a while to recover. But he has worked extremely hard to come back from his injury and has been a big part of the reason why we’re going back to the playoffs.”
After a one-year absence, the Lobos are happy to be returning to the playoff party.
“It was very hard to accept last year not making the playoffs,” Bergstrom said. “When you have been so used to being on a certain level it is difficult to accept anything less. I couldn’t wait for this season to start again. Plus, we had two of our leaders back on the field.”
