The Rockdale Tiger boys soccer team got their fourth win of the season on Friday, defeating Smithville 3-1 after a hot first half.
“I think the kids did a really good job of pressing Smithville’s offense during the first half,” said Gilberto Rodriguez, Rockdale High School head soccer coach. “I was wondering what was going to happen coming into this game because I know La Grange is one of those big teams, and Smithville played them pretty close.”
The Tigers were led by goals in the first half from Chris Olvera, Luis Iruegas and Brandon Hernandez, which helped boost the Tigers to a 3-0 lead at the intermission.
“We did what we had to do when we needed to do it,” Rodriguez said. “Because in the second half, those boys were on us.”
Smithville got off to a fast start in the second half with an early goal. Rockdale defenders Alberto Torres and Ethan Hughes prevented attackers from getting past them on the right side of the field, which helped the Tigers get the win.
Ty Mayberry was the winning goalie with two saves. Qua’Shawn Crawford played goalie for the Tigers in the second half. He gave up one goal and stopped two.
Last Tuesday, the Tigers lost 2-1 to Florence for the second time in five days. RHS led at the half with a goal from sophomore Hagen Land, before the Buffaloes took control on offense to hand Rockdale their fifth loss of the season. Mayberry had four saves and two goals allowed.
“We actually played really good against Florence,” Rodriguez said. “But their field wasn’t nearly as wide as ours, so it made it hard for us to build up speed and get space away from the defense.”
RHS played in La Grange on Tuesday after press time and face Waco Harmony at home on Friday immediately after the girl’s game. They begin district 26-4A play on Monday, Feb. 11, in Hearne.
The Lady Tigers –
The Lady Tiger defense held their ground in the first half against a fast Smithville team but went down 3-0 in the second half to a strong Smithville offense.
“To see us play as well as we did against Smithville was great and it’s pretty promising especially since we still have three games before district,” said Rodriguez. “Even though we lost 3-0, they were a really good team and we played well.
Rockdale was without goalie Kaylee Criswell, who was out of state according to Rodriguez. Elysia Ruelas, a top defender for RHS, was in front of the net against Smithville.
“It’s an adjustment when she’s playing goalie for us,” Rodriguez said. “Because she’s definitely a go-getter as a defender.”
The Lady Tigers lost 2-0 to Florence three days earlier, giving up one goal in each half.
Rockdale played in La Grange on Tuesday after press time and face Giddings at Tiger Stadium 6 p.m., Friday. District play starts Tuesday, Feb. 12 at Georgetown’s Gateway College Prep.
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