Varsity Boys Soccer started up District play last week with two games against CFISD competition.

vs. Cy Fair

Tuesday night, the Spartans travelled to Cy-Fair Stadium to take on the Bobcats. Under the harsh wind and cold, both teams came out aggressively and play was back-and-forth for the first 15 minutes.

The shooting opened up with a Bobcat quick-break long ball and shot over the goal.

Stratford responded with several shooting opportunities, two notable on-target shots by Yuto Komiya and Brian Leon, but neither passed the keeper. As in previous games, the Spartans' strong defense defused many attacks before a shot could be taken, and the first half ended tied at 0.

The second half brought a more consistent Stratford attack and several more scoring opportunities. The Spartans earned two set pieces and two corners in the first 15 minutes of the second half, but still couldn’t connect the goal.

With 10 minutes left to play, Stratford worked up a quick play from their own goal box on a Kuto steal and pass up to Hanno Waguespack on the left wing, who connected to Jacob Smith for a nice shot that was saved by the keeper.

The breakthrough came with just 7 minutes left to play. Zayn Tippitt found Thomas Dimareli on a long ball from deep on the right side, who skirted around the keeper for a clear shot to the goal. Stratford went up 1-0 and managed to hold on for their first win in District play. SHS 1-Cy Creek 0

vs. Cy Creek

Thursday night in front of a big home crowd, the Spartans hosted their first home game of District play against a strong Cy Creek team.

Our Spartans did not waste any time getting on the board. In the 3rd minute, a Cy Creek defender handled the ball and a penalty kick was awarded. Yuto Komiya smashed the ball in the upper right corner to take the lead 1-0.

SHS created many more opportunities in the first half, but Cy Creek did as well, and Juan Ugalde was on point for several shots, and the Spartan defense, with strong play from Tarkan Rendle, kept the Cougars at bay.

Several corner and set piece opportunities were earned by our Spartans, including from Zayn Tippitt and Yuto. One particular corner was blocked out by the keeper and put back into the middle by Bennett Swires, to be shot by Jasper Hartman, blocked out by the keeper, then shot again by Hanno over the crossbar.

Until the 21st minute. Cy Creek mounted an attack, then subsequent counter attack from midfield and equalized with sharp goal from the right side to tie it up 1-1.

The Spartans were maintaining possession in the backfield, but having trouble punching through deep enough into Cougar territory to get off a shot.

In the 30th minute, Yuto intercepted a goal kick and went wide left. He crossed to the middle, where Giancarlo Chelala had beaten his man and was open, but his first-touch volley was just over the crossbar.

Then, with only seconds left in the first half, Cy Creek mounted an attack with high numbers in the box, and though Juan saved at least two shots, the linesman saw that the ball had crossed the plane and a goal was awarded to Cy Creek to go up 2-1 at halftime.

Second half brought more missed opportunities for the Spartans and plenty of saves by Juan Ugalde.

Several Spartan shots fell wide or were blocked by the Cy Creek keeper, including shots from Yuto, Tarkan Rendle, Fabu Ndayishimiye, and Hanno.

With 10 minutes left, the Cy Creek forward made a nice run that ended in a well-placed bending shot to the upper right corner, putting Cy Creek up 3-1.

Stratford responded with several strong runs.

At 5 minutes left, on a play up from the defense, Bennett connected to Hanno, who took it deep on the right wing, cut to the inside and crossed into Fabu, who made a strong, low shot blocked by the keeper.

At 4 minutes left, Hanno made a 35-yd cross to the middle, right in front of the goal and found Yuto, who made a leaping header that went just over the crossbar.

A tremendous effort by our boys in green, but we just couldn’t finish. Cy Creek 3-1 SHS

Stratford Soccer appreciates the turnout from many students and parents. Let's do it again next week as our boys will take on Northbrook (away) at 7:30 pm Wednesday (2/1) and Spring Woods at 1:30 pm Saturday (2/4) at Tully Stadium.