Varsity Boys Soccer (3-3-2) passed the halfway point last week of their run for the playoffs, with matches against Jersey Village and Cy Fair.

vs. Jersey Village

Coming off the emotional finish last Friday night in the tie against rival Memorial, the Spartans travelled to Jersey Village High Stadium on Tuesday night to take on the Falcons.

Our Spartans developed the possession game early on and slowly worked into several first-half scoring opportunities.

In the 10th minute, Jasper Hartman made a strong challenge on a high goal kick and kept possession, hit a long pass up to Yuto Komiya, who made the header for a shot on goal, but it was just blocked out by the goalie. The ensuing corner cleared out.

Jersey Village countered with two corner opportunities, each aptly saved by Juan Ugalde. In the 22nd minute, the Spartans earned another opportunity with a set piece taken by Adrian Estrada, who served it up nicely to Hanno Waguespack for a header on target, but it was grabbed by the keeper. On the ensuing goal kick, Zayn Tippitt challenged the Jersey Village forward, took possession, and made a nice long pass to Yuto, who centered at the goal, for a header to the left, just grabbed by the Falcon keeper. Creating multiple opportunities eventually turns into goals, and Stratford’s first came in the 38th minute of the first half. After a defensive clear by Zayn, Hanno one-touched up to Yuto, who put a nice through-pass to Thomas Dimareli, who had beaten his man and had a one-on-one with the keeper. As the keeper came out to meet him, Thomas slipped a ground ball to the right of the keeper and into the back of the net. 1-0 Stratford.

Jersey Village countered with a strong play that saw a high shot on target as Juan was just a bit out of the box. But Juan got back in position and tipped the ball straight up in the air right on the goal line as he fell back into the goal, but aptly stepped forward to keep the ball outside the line and preserve the SHS lead going into halftime.

The Spartans kept up the pressure in the second half, relentless on the Falcons' side of the field trying to increase their lead. In the 15th minute of the second half, Fabu Ndayishimiye intercepted a pass up from the Jersey Village defense and made a short pass to Tarkan Rendel, who was crossing into the middle at about 20 yards out. Tarkan hit a one-touch banger to the upper left side of the goal to give the Spartans a two-point lead. 2-0 SHS

The Spartans almost went up to three in the 33rd minute, as Hanno took the ball from deep and passed several Falcon defenders, taking a curving shot to the upper right that was just tipped into the crossbar by the keeper. As the ball bounced out, Tarkan stepped up for a header to the left of the goal, but was again, saved by the keeper. Give the Falcons some credit for keeping it close, but the Spartans kept their lead for a 2-0 final.

vs. Cy Fair

On another frigid Friday night at Tully Stadium, the Spartans hosted the Cy Fair Bobcats, who we had previously beaten us 1-0 in the first District game of the season.

Our Spartans really showed the work they have put in this season with a completely dominating performance against the Bobcats from the starting kick-off through to the final whistle.

The Spartans started creating their opportunities early. At the 4th minute, Hanno Waguespack was fouled bringing the ball up the left side to create a set piece. Jasper Hartman served it up to Yuto Komiya, who was positioned at the right side of the goal and headed the ball on target, but it was saved by the keeper.

Just a few minutes later, on a cross from Jasper, Hanno took a one-touch to set up Brian Leon for the shot, who drilled it into the top left corner of the goal for the first Spartans' goal! 1-0 SHS.

In the 13th minute, a bit of adversity struck the Spartans as Cy Fair was given a penalty kick when the refs called Zayn Tippitt for a questionable foul in the box. But the shot went off the right post and the defense cleared the ball, maintaining the Stratford lead.

In the 18th minute, Stratford responded with another goal. Hanno took a throw-in from the left sideline, all the way to Yuto, who stood at the front post. Yuto trapped the ball and shot it right to the top of the net over the keeper for our second goal! 2-0 SHS.

The Stratford defense, including notable plays by Adrian Estrada and Zayn Tippitt, held the Falcons from getting more than 2 shots in the first half.

At the 28th minute, Hanno took another left sideline throw-in deep on the Falcons' end. A defender got the first touch and tried to clear, but Jasper passed it back into the center, where Yuto was waiting for another one-touch goal! Stratford takes the lead into halftime 3-0.

The Spartans continued their dominance in the second half, both offensively and defensively. The Stratford defense limited the Falcons to 4 shots total in the second half and only two on target which were both saved by Juan.

In the 16th minute, the Spartans got on the board again. The defense got the ball out left to Yuto, who centered it up to Tarkan Rendle, who had a one-on-one with the Cy Fair keeper. The keeper made a great save, but Fabu Ndayishimiye followed up the play with an easy tap in the center of the goal. Spartans 4-0.

Then in the 34th minute of the second half, Yuto put a nice through-ball up to Giancarlo Chelala, who beating his man, dribbled around the keeper and tapped it in for the fifth and final goal of the night. Stratford wins 5-0.

Our Spartans really showed what they are made of this week with convincing District wins. With the two wins and the number of Spartan goals, we took fourth place over Northbrook. This next week will be critical as we travel to take on #3 Cy Creek on Tuesday 2/21 and will have to play Northbrook again, who will be looking to take back the fourth place position, on Friday 2/24 at Tully Stadium.