The boys JV-A soccer team participated in the Cy-Fair JV Showcase this week, playing matches on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  While Cy-Fair was very hospitable in inviting the Spartans to participate in their showcase at one of the finest fields and stadiums in the Houston area, the reception the Spartans received on the field against three strong Cy-Fair squads was anything but hospitable.  The Spartans struggled to adjust to significant on the field changes since the start of January, losing key players to varsity call-ups (we miss you, Zayn Tippett!), injuries, illness and other. 

The opening game, a 2-0 loss to Cy-Ranch, got off to a poor start, with the Spartans allowing a goal in the first five minutes on a botched communication inside the box that allowed a Cy-Ranch striker free access to a one-on-one on which he executed deftly.  Cy-Ranch converted for a second goal late in the first half for a 2-0 lead that would hold up as the final score. 

It was a Spartans vs. Spartans match-up in the second game, as our squad faced the Cy-Lakes Spartans.  Our squad battled in the first half against Cy-Lakes, with several nice stretches of much-improved ball movement and some strong defending and outstanding goalkeeping.  After a questionable foul call in the last two minutes of the half, Cy-Lakes was able to push the ball into the back of the net with a sea of red jerseys following the rebounded direct kick to secure an 1-0 lead at the half.  Our Spartans did not throw in the towel after Cy-Lakes extended its lead to 2-0 around the 15 minute mark of the second half, showing a tenacious determination and increasingly aggressive play.  Junior midfielder Luke Hammer converted a nicely placed corner kick off of the foot of co-captain Bennett Swires to trim the lead to one goal with about 20 minutes remaining.  The Stratford Spartans then pressed aggressively in an attempt to even up the score, but were thwarted by a third and final goal for Cy-Lakes at the 25 minute mark, securing a 3-1 victory for Cy-Lakes.

The Spartans capped the Showcase with a 6-1 loss to a very strong Cy-Springs team in frigid and windy conditions on Saturday night.  A fantastic save by goalkeeper Yovanny Rodriguez on a penalty kick early in the game kept the score even at 0-0, but the Spartans were unable to hold off a relentless attack from Cy-Springs in the loss.  The highlight of the match was a captain-to-captain assist and goal, with Jonathan Lumpkin heading it in for the Spartans only goal of the game off of a perfectly placed ball by Bennett Swires on a set piece from near the right sideline.