Two first half goals were enough for the Dripping Springs Tiger boys soccer team to dispatch the rival Marble Falls Mustangs 2-1 Friday, as well as secure a playoff berth.
The game was the last regular season game for both squads, with playoff spots on the line.
The Mustangs struck fast, scoring the game’s first goal before most fans had even settled into their seats.
Following a decent approach from the Dripping Springs forwards, the Mustangs launched a counterattack that stunned the Tigers, and gave the visitors a 1-0 advantage only 30 seconds into the game.
The Tigers were able to get a corner, the first of seven they had on the night, but nothing came of it. The Mustangs immediately launched a counter-attack, which seemed to be their game-plan going into the game.
It took a fantastic save from Tigers senior goal-keeper Jaxson Thornton to keep the score at 1-0. Dripping Springs responded right back. The Tigers quickly got the ball up the field, and sophomore Max Gonzales found the back of the net to even up the game at 1-1.The goal was his 18th of the season.
The Tigers stayed on the offensive for most of the first half. Of their total seven shots taken, four of them came in the first half.
The Tigers scored again when a Tiger free kick deflected off the goalie and was then punched in by Junior Kenneth Gossett for his third goal of the season. The score remained 2-1 for the rest of the half and the Tigers entered the second half in a good spot. However, the rival Mustangs were not backing down.
For the majority of the second half, the trailing Mustangs were on the offensive. Marble Falls got off six shots in the first 20 minutes of the half.
A herculean effort from the Thornton kept Dripping Springs in the game. Thornton finished with eight total saves.
Dripping Springs head coach Josh Hill expected no less of his senior keeper.
“He is one of those goalkeepers that will come up big. Once a game, it seems he makes a big save, and tonight he made several,” Hill said.
Anchored by Thornton’s play and a solid defensive effort by the whole team, the Tigers held off the Mustangs in the second half.
Hill felt his team played well.
“Ultimately, we just wanted to win the game, and that is what we were able to do. We played good defense tonight,” Hill said.
Coach Hill must now get his team ready for post-season play, and he knows they will be ready.
“We will go back to practice Monday, and I feel like we have a good shot,” Hill said.
