The JV-A boys started off February on the road with a 2-2 tie against a traditionally strong Spring Woods squad.  The Spartans once again succumbed to what has been an Achilles heel this season, allowing a goal in the first five minutes on a defensive mis-play.  The remainder of the half was a fairly even battle between the two squads until the Spartans tied the game up 1-1 shortly before the half with Juan Ugalde netting a goal in heavy traffic in front of the Tigers goal. The second half was again an even-handed battle throughout and the game look headed for a 1-1 tie before the Tigers were able to convert a goal in a scurry right in front of the Spartans’ goal for a 2-1 lead.  What looked to be a disheartening loss in a competitive match turned into a moral victory in the last minute of play as Fabu Ndayishimye rebounded a ball and drilled a laser into the net to tie the game 2-2.

The Spartans then battled that Red Team down the road for a scoreless 67 minutes of a hard fought match, before succumbing to a well placed header off of a direct kick in the last three minutes of the game that put the Red Team up 1-0, with the final result of a 0-2 loss by the Spartans sealed with a goal for the Red Team as time expired.  Despite the disappointing loss in the closing minutes, the Spartans fought hard throughout in what was a very physical (but cleanly played game) against a candidly more skilled and much deeper team.  But we will be ready for the Red Team at home in a couple of weeks.  Despite the loss, goalkeeper Yovanny Rodriguez was exceptional in goal as he faced a barrage of shots for 70 minutes of play.

After a disappointing loss to the Red Team on the road, the Spartans returned home to face Cy-Creek and looked to continue with another disappointing loss as the Spartans trailed 2-0 with under 15 minutes to play despite winning the time of possession handily.  With the Spartans pressing hard offensively, Ricky Estrada netted a goal with 13 minutes to play to cut the lead in half at 2-1.  Despite several continued impressive offensive ball sets, the Spartans looked to come up short until Boniface Ndayishmye shot a banger into the back left corner of the net with under 5 minutes to play to secure a tie at 2-2.  But wait, there’s more.  With the Cy-Creek team caught flat-footed and stunned by quick turn of events, the Spartans frantically pressed for the win and secured a 3-2 win with a second goal in traffic by Boniface Ndayishmye that deflected off a defender and found the net off of a well placed corner kick by co-captain Bennett Swires.

The Spartans capped the week with a 1-1 tie on the road at Jersey village, bringing their district record to an even 2-2-2 and having noticeably improved its play in the past couple of weeks.  The Spartans Achilles’ heel once again surfaced as they dug an early hole by allowing a goal in the first five minutes of play.  From there, the Spartans generally controlled the time of possession and led in shots on goal for the balance of the game.  The Spartans tied the game up with a banger from Giovanni Chelala from 30 yards out.  Despite pressing hard in the last 15 minutes for the win and getting quality shots on goal (and avoiding a near goal by the Falcons late), the Spartans settled for a tie on the road against Jersey Village.  Perhaps the player of the game for the Spartans was defender Zane Clark, who strong and physical defensive play and support on offensive set the tone for the Spartans and is indicative of Zane’s recently elevated level of play that we expect to continue.The JV-A boys started off February on the road with a 2-2 tie against a traditionally strong Spring Woods squad.  The Spartans once again succumbed to what has been an Achilles heel this season, allowing a goal in the first five minutes on a defensive mis-play.  The remainder of the half was a fairly even battle between the two squads until the Spartans tied the game up 1-1 shortly before the half with Juan Ugalde netting a goal in heavy traffic in front of the Tigers goal. The second half was again an even-handed battle throughout and the game look headed for a 1-1 tie before the Tigers were able to convert a goal in a scurry right in front of the Spartans’ goal for a 2-1 lead.  What looked to be a disheartening loss in a competitive match turned into a moral victory in the last minute of play as Fabu Ndayishimye rebounded a ball and drilled a laser into the net to tie the game 2-2.

The Spartans then battled that Red Team down the road for a scoreless 67 minutes of a hard fought match, before succumbing to a well placed header off of a direct kick in the last three minutes of the game that put the Red Team up 1-0, with the final result of a 0-2 loss by the Spartans sealed with a goal for the Red Team as time expired.  Despite the disappointing loss in the closing minutes, the Spartans fought hard throughout in what was a very physical (but cleanly played game) against a candidly more skilled and much deeper team.  But we will be ready for the Red Team at home in a couple of weeks.  Despite the loss, goalkeeper Yovanny Rodriguez was exceptional in goal as he faced a barrage of shots for 70 minutes of play.

After a disappointing loss to the Red Team on the road, the Spartans returned home to face Cy-Creek and looked to continue with another disappointing loss as the Spartans trailed 2-0 with under 15 minutes to play despite winning the time of possession handily.  With the Spartans pressing hard offensively, Ricky Estrada netted a goal with 13 minutes to play to cut the lead in half at 2-1.  Despite several continued impressive offensive ball sets, the Spartans looked to come up short until Boniface Ndayishmye shot a banger into the back left corner of the net with under 5 minutes to play to secure a tie at 2-2.  But wait, there’s more.  With the Cy-Creek team caught flat-footed and stunned by quick turn of events, the Spartans frantically pressed for the win and secured a 3-2 win with a second goal in traffic by Boniface Ndayishmye that deflected off a defender and found the net off of a well placed corner kick by co-captain Bennett Swires.

The Spartans capped the week with a 1-1 tie on the road at Jersey village, bringing their district record to an even 2-2-2 and having noticeably improved its play in the past couple of weeks.  The Spartans Achilles’ heel once again surfaced as they dug an early hole by allowing a goal in the first five minutes of play.  From there, the Spartans generally controlled the time of possession and led in shots on goal for the balance of the game.  The Spartans tied the game up with a banger from Giovanni Chelala from 30 yards out.  Despite pressing hard in the last 15 minutes for the win and getting quality shots on goal (and avoiding a near goal by the Falcons late), the Spartans settled for a tie on the road against Jersey Village.  Perhaps the player of the game for the Spartans was defender Zane Clark, who strong and physical defensive play and support on offense set the tone for the Spartans and is indicative of Zane’s recently elevated level of play that we expect to continue.