The Hays Rebels boys soccer team remains winless in district play after suffering a crushing 7-0 loss to the Westlake Chaparrals Tuesday night at Shelton Stadium.
Early in the game, Westlake peppered the Hays keeper with three shots on goal and five total in the first 15 minutes of play.
Although the Chaparrals were controlling the time of possession, the momentum was not necessarily in their favor. With less than 25 minutes to play in the first half, the Chaparrals began an offensive onslaught with four unanswered offensive goals.
Senior captains Michael Garcia and Robert Vassilev, along with sophomore Stefan Rankovich and junior Ike Petrik all recorded a goal. Two of the four goals were assisted off corner kicks by senior Landan Vladyka.
When asked about the success of his corner kicks, Vladyka said that the height advantage played a factor for the Chaparral offense.
“We had the size tonight,” said Vladyka. “I just try to put it right inside the six-yard box and they take it from there.”
In the final 5 minutes of play Westlake continued to conjure up consistent looks on goal, while the Rebels struggled simply possessing the ball.
Hays managed one shot that went wide of the goal in the first half.
The second half started drastically different than the first with Hays earning its first shot on goal for the game within the first minute of play, and two additional shots within the first five.
Westlake on the other hand failed to earn a shot on goal for the first 15 minutes of the second half.
Hays head coach Jason Burnett said he made a game plan decision to swap his forwards with his center-midfielders to give them a break and loosen them up.
The change worked as the defense was more aggressive, passes were more accurate and there was a sense of urgency that was absent in the first half.
However, with all the momentum in Hays favor, an outlet pass from Westlake senior defender James Helgren sets up a one-on-one with Vladyka and the Hays keeper that gave the Chaps their fifth goal of the night.
Westlake went on to tally two more goals in the final 20 minutes of the game.
Burnett said he was proud of the way his team competed despite the injuries and misfortunes the Rebels have had to overcome this season. He compared the situation to a trauma scene.
“We basically have a giant roll of band-aids – we’re sticking a band-aid on this sore and see how long it stays, band-aid on this sore, band-aid on that sore – but they don’t quit, I couldn’t ask these guys to do better as far as effort goes.”
