By Joseph O. Garcia
Special to the Record
Buda — With only three games remaining, the San Marcos high school boys’ soccer team needed a win Friday night to stay in the race for the fourth spot in the District 51-4A playoffs.
The Rattlers traveled to Hays to take on the second place Rebels, and left with a much-needed victory. SMHS proved to be the more aggressive team in a battle against Hays winning 4-2 at Bob Shelton Stadium.
The Rattlers improved its district record to 6-4-2, while Hays dropped to 7-5.
“These guys played amazing,” SMHS head coach Todd Roberson. “I am so very proud of these guys. It was a very physical game, and they came together as a team.”
Francisco Sanchez put the Rattlers on the board first when he scored at the 28-minute mark on a deflection derived from a set-play.
The Rebels answered with a goal of their own when forward Joe Garcia scored with 3:33 remaining in the first half.
The score remained tied 1-1 at halftime.
In the second half, the Rattlers clearly out-hustled the Rebels, who seemingly took offense.
In the 49th minute, Hays’ Robbie Clevenger was issued a yellow card after shoving a SMHS player to the ground. He looked to be frustrated after he lost possession of the ball.
The penalty gave the Rattlers an opportunity for another set-play.
Kiross Soto lined up, kicked the ball past the three-man wall and found teammate Santiago Soto who put in in the back on the net.
“I challenged my team to outplay these guys on every ball,” Roberson said. “They did a great job doing just that.”
The Rattlers’ offensive firepower continued as Ruben Becerra found himself in a one-on-one sprint down the middle of the pitch. Becerra narrowly beat his man, and managed to toe the ball past the Hays goalkeeper. The 61st minute goal gave SMHS a 3-1 lead.
The Rebels wouldn’t fade away, as Joe Garcia added his second goal of the game one minute later to narrow the margin 3-2.
However, the Rattlers were too much for Hays as they added yet another goal, this time by Jordi Martinez, which put the match out of contention for Hays.
The loss was a bit of a surprise for the Rebels, but one they had already experienced.
“Last time we played them it was a 1-0 game,” Roberson said. “We shocked them the first time and we shocked them again.”
Roberson credited his seniors for their leadership and it starts with goalkeeper Aaron Nunez.
“Our seniors did a great job of stepping up for us tonight,” Roberson said. “Aaron is especially one of those seniors. He has been huge for us in the goal all season long.”
SMHS will continue its playoff quest March 9 when they travel to Dripping Springs. Hays will also be in action the same day when it hosts Seguin.
