The Hays and Lehman boys soccer teams waited one extra day to get their match going, but it was the Lobos who only needed one minute to get the scoring started in what would be a lopsided 7-1 final. Freshman forward Diego Garcia scored the first two goals of the game as he took advantage of the opportunities created by the Lehman attack. He would go on to finish with four goals and one assist, but he was quick to give credit to his teammates for assisting him.
“I was excited to get that first chance and finish it. The chances just kept coming for us and it was our night. We know they are a good team, but tonight we were ready to go.”
The Rebels would get a goal from Christian Varela to make the score 2-1 halfway through the first half, but it was all Lehman after that. After Garcia scored another pair of goals, he hit a perfect cross finished by Manuel Diego to give the Lobos a 5-1 lead. Junior Michael Diers followed with a rebound goal off the crossbar and senior Eli Guajardo dribbled through two defenders to put in the final goal of the night.
The Lobos moved to 2-0 in district and remain unbeaten on the year, while the Rebels have a 1-1 district record. Lehman head coach Jay Sansom was excited about his team’s start and complimented his players’ effort on the night.
“I thought we came out with energy and played very well as a team tonight. I feel that (midfielder) Bryan Percastegui in particular had a great game and the toughest task in controlling Hays’ best playmaker.”
Asked if the rescheduling of the game made a difference for either team, Sansom commented that it wasn’t an issue.
“When you have a great surface to play on and no threat of the game being stopped or delayed, it works out for everyone.”
The Rebels and Lobos both have tough district games ahead of them in the coming weeks, and they will have to wait until Feb. 22 for the next edition of the series at Lobo Field. Lehman faces La Grange on Friday at Lehman and travels to Bastrop on Tuesday. Hays squares off Friday against Cedar Park there and then takes a week off. They will face LaGrange at Shelton Stadium on Feb. 8.