Varsity Boys Soccer played two matches last week, one against Cy Ridge on Tuesday night and one against Memorial on Friday night.

2/6: Cy Ridge Rams

The Spartans took on Cy Ridge, the District leader, at home on Tuesday night.

Cy Ridge showed why they are the District leaders for most of the first half, with several early shots on target but aptly defended by Spartan keeper, Davis Cooper, until the 14th minute, when Cy Ridge forward-passed the defense on the right side and snuck one by our keeper to the low left of the goal, to get on the board, 0-1.

As the Rams continued to strike offensively, the Spartans began to take advantage of some opportunities to counter.

In the 18th minute, Santi Chelala dribbled out right to space, then crossed into the middle where Lorenzo Maule was rushing in for a header, but it was blocked out by the keeper. Hanno Waguespack recovered the ball and put a low, hard shot on target, but it was saved by the keeper.

As the Spartans began to come alive offensively, the Rams began fouling and were given two yellow cards before the half was over.

The Spartans were on the attack and took several other shots before halftime by Hanno, Maule, and Jasper Hartman but couldn’t get anything past the keeper.

Halftime 0-1

Stratford started the second half as they finished the first, striking quickly and often.

Just four minutes after halftime, the Spartans put together a nice play to get on the board. Hanno went up for a header around midfield, passing it over to Chelala, who took two-touches to get it to Maule running for the goal. Maule passed his defender and put the ball to the low left corner of the goal, right past the keeper to equalize. 1-1

Cy Ridge continued to attack. They were given a free kick around the 65th minute, which was a good strike to the left side of the goal, which was blocked away by Cooper, and quickly followed up with a good clear by Johnny Lumpkin.

With about 12 minutes remaining, Stratford took the lead with a great cross by Everett Dwyer to Maule in the middle for another GOAL! 2-1

The last minutes were marked by frantic attempts by the Rams to get the equalizer, but the Spartan defense held strong, and the final score was 2-1 for the first Spartan win of the District season!

2/9: Memorial Mustangs

The Spartans travelled Friday night for a showdown with the co-leaders of District following the win over the Rams.

The first several minutes were a bit back-and-forth with no one getting off any good shots.

At about the 12th minute, Hanno Waguespack made a nice cross to an attacking Lorenzo Maule, who shot with a header that went off the left post.

Several minutes later, Stratford had a set piece opportunity from about 40 yards out. Jasper Hartman took the service,  and Maule was able to get his head on it, but a bit off balance, with the shot going wide right.

The defense stepped up big as Memorial mounted their own attacks. At one point, our keeper had to come out of the goal to cut off a Memorial forward that had passed through the defense. The forward dribbled around him and was clear for the shot, but Juan Colo came from behind and slid to block the shot away, right in front of the goal line.

Hartman created another opportunity just before half as he dribbled up the right sideline, passed a few defenders, and took a shot on target that was saved by the keeper.

Stratford had been knocking at the door for most of the half, but just couldn’t get anything to fall.

Halftime 0-0.

The Spartans continued the attack in the first few minutes of the second half with shots by Santi Chelala and Ricky Estrada.

But then, 8 minutes into the half, on a deflected cross by Memorial that was defended, the ball just rolled into the goal line for a lucky goal by the Mustangs.

The Spartans created some more opportunities in the next several minutes with shots by Chelala and Fabu Ndayishimiye, but still nothing to get us on the board.

Memorial added to their lead in the 65th minute, on a cross from the far right and just over the head of our keeper.

0-2

With 15 minutes remaining, after a hard foul in the box, Stratford earned a penalty kick. Maule took the kick, but it was just a bit too wide left.

More shots by the Spartans were taken by Fabu, Chelala, and Hartman, but none scored until the 75th minute. Jose Mena put the ball into the left bottom corner, out of reach of the Mustang keeper, for the Spartans' first goal, 1-2.

A few minutes later, Chelala put the ball into the middle, where Mena was able to get off a header on target, but it was saved by the keeper.

As the last seconds were ticking off the clock, Chelala got off one last corner kick to Ryan Gifford, who was waiting at the left side of the top of the box. Gifford volleyed the ball on his first touch, but unfortunately the shot went wide left.

The final score remained at 2-1 for a Memorial victory.

Come out to support the Boys Varsity Team this week as they take on Jersey Village on Tuesday and Cy Fair on Friday.