SMHS BOYS SOCCER
The final home game of the season ended in heartbreaking fashion as the Rattlers fell to New Braunfels Canyon 2-1, ending San Marcos hopes of reaching the postseason for the third consecutive season.
The Rattlers end the year with a 7-7-4 overall record.
“The guys fought really hard,” Head Coach Corando Reyes said. “One of the things that we set out to do today was come out here and win. If we win, we’re in, and if we lose, we’re out, so we’re out of the playoffs. Unfortunately, it’s a [tough] situation, but I thought the guys fought really hard to the very end. It just sucks for the seniors.”
The Rattlers struck first early in the first half when junior Grayson Sanchez scored the first goal of the game, giving San Marcos a 1-0 lead.
The San Marcos defense gave Canyon fits as the Cougars were unable to find the equalizing goal in the first half, with senior Diego Hernandez making several saves.
Going into halftime, the Rattlers held their lead at 1-0.
The Rattler defense continued to bottle up Canyon early in the second half but San Marcos was not able to find a second goal, leaving the Cougars to find an opening.
Canyon scored two late goals in the second half, sealing San Marcos’ fate and taking the final playoff spot in a 2-1 defeat for the Rattlers.
Despite the loss, Reyes is proud of his seniors in helping turn the soccer program around.
“The goal was to leave it better than you found it, and those guys for sure did that,” Reyes said. “One of the biggest things that the senior group had right there was a brotherhood like no other. They hung out outside of here. They showed on the pitch they had a lot of chemistry. But I truly believe it’s probably one of the best classes I’ve ever coached in my entire life.”
With the Rattlers graduating 15 seniors from this year’s team, the focus for Reyes is now towards the offseason and rebuilding the group into getting back into the playoffs.
“Our offseason begins tomorrow and that’s crucial for where we end up next year,” Reyes said. “We have 15 seniors, so it’s going to be really hard to fill the shoes of those 15 seniors but at the same time, I think the group that we have is up to the task.”
Grayson Sanchez keeps the ball away from Canyon defenders during the Rattlers final home game against the Cougars. Sanchez scored the lone goal for the Rattlers. Daily Record photo by Gerald Castillo
Senior goalkeeper Diego Hernandez makes the save in the first half during the Rattlers final home game against Canyon. Daily Record photo by Gerald Castillo
