1.11.24 JV Cy Fair Tournament

Stratford vs. Northshore

Our players took the field at Pridgeon Stadium on a sunny and windy Thursday afternoon wearing their Spartan green uniforms. You could definitely tell they were excited to play in their first game of the JV Cy Fair Tournament. Northshore came out strong and had some shots on goal within the first 10 minutes, but goalkeeper Pablo Reyes had some great saves to start us off. Kevin Espinosa had a great header on target, but it was saved by the Northshore keeper. A few minutes later, Oliver Burdick got an opportunity from the middle of the box, but he put it just wide. With 18 minutes left in the 1st half, Bernardo Sanchez had a great shot on goal, but it went just over the crossbar. Spartans continued to work well as a team moving the ball well and communicating on the field. The momentum seemed to shift toward the end of the 1st half and we began to have more shots on goal, but Northshore's defense was denying our opportunities or their keeper was making great saves. 1st half ended 0-0.

The 2nd half had a different feel with Northshore coming out of the half with more intensity and our boys playing more defense. The wind surely playing a factor as Stratford was against the strong wind this half and couldn't seem to keep the ball on the ground. Goalkeeper, Pablo Reyes, was working hard taking goal kicks with a few shots on target from Northshore. With 14 minutes left,  Stratford had their best chance off a crossed ball to Theo Bigirimana with strong shot saved and a second opportunity for Kevin Espinosa.

Nick Velarde had a strong header on target with 9 minutes left,  which provided another chance for us to pull ahead. Northshore fired back with less than 8 minutes left for a driven ball and again a minute later just missing wide. Northshore finally put a goal in with less than 6 min. left with a strong effort from the Stratford back line and keeper Pablo Reyes.

With less than a minute in the game, Northshore added another goal and it was over.

Spartans 0 - Northshore 2

1.12.24 JV Cy Fair Tournament

Stratford vs. Klein Cain

It was a blustery bluebird Friday morning at Pridgeon Stadium, and Spartan players were back ready to win! The game plan was to keep the ball low and pass to feet due to the windy conditions on the field. Early on, Klein Cain had a few shots on goal but fortunately couldn't find the net. Oliver Burdick took a free kick and hit it low and hard, but the keeper was ready and saved it. The boys were moving the ball around well and halfway through the 1st half, Aaron Castellon had a powerful shot on goal, but it went just right of the post. With 18 minutes left in the 1st half, Fardin Ansari had an attempt inside the box, but just missed the target. Sergio Andrade took a free kick from the right side and squared it to Oliver Burdick, but the defender intercepted it. With 14 minutes left, Nick Velarde had a hard shot from 35 yards out, but the keeper was able to make the stop. Three minutes later, the boys were able to find Bernardo Sanchez, allowing him to put Stratford up 1-0. Now having found their momentum, Carlos Mendez hit a shot from the center of the box scoring and giving the Spartans a 2-0 lead at the end of the 1st half.

In the 2nd half, the wind seemed to die down, but the Spartan intensity picked up and our players came out strong. Just 6 minutes into the 2nd half, Miles Burdick made a great through ball to Fardin Ansari for a shot on goal that went just wide. With 20 minutes left in the 2nd half, Klein Cain had a shot that Reyes deflected, but they got the rebound a scored making it 2-1. The game was beginning to get a bit heated and the refs weren't calling much until they showed a red card to one of the Klein Cain players. The Spartans kept working as a team and Sergio Andrade scored with just 1 minute left, securing the win for Stratford. These Spartan defenders had an outstanding game - Carson Rushing, Kevin Espinosa, Braden Oliphant, and Jonah Yim.

Spartans 3 - Klein Cain 1

Come bundle up and watch our JV-A Team play this Wednesday at home at 7 pm against Sam Houston!