Starting off the season with a preseason record of 5 wins, 3 ties, and 1 loss, the Lion soccer team has remained strong through and through. With a season record of 6 wins and 6 losses, the team had enough strength to come back from a rough start with 6 losses and advance to playoffs for the first time in 10 years.

   With their fans supporting them along the way, these boys showed teamwork, determination, and drive. David Salazar and Dani Alvarado showed their strengths this season and helped lead their team in the back, to the numerous victories. The team’s perseverance kept them close and helped them work together to make this season a great one.

    You can see the boys perform their top game Tuesday night at7p.m. at Bible Stadium. Come out cheer and support the Lions for a successful playoff seat!

2011 Leander Lions Boys Soccer Schedule

Day    Date               Opponent                                                       Location         Time

Tue     Jan 4^th             Lake Travis (JV/V)                                    Bible             5/7pm

Sat      Jan 8^th             Cedar Park/Cedar Ridge (JV/V)         CPHS             TBA   

Th-Sa  Jan 13^th-15^th    Hays Tournament (V)                        HHS                TBA

Tue      Jan 18^th            Rouse (JV/V)                                           RHS                5/7pm

Th-Sa   Jan 20^th-22^nd    Vista Ridge Showcase (V)            VRHS             TBA

Tue      Jan 25^th            Killeen Shoemaker (V/JV)                  SHS                 5:30/7:30        

Fri        Jan 28^th            Vandergrift (JV/V)                               Bible                6/7:45pm

Tue      Feb 1^st              Georgetown (JV/V)                             Georgetown    6/8pm

Fri        Feb 4^th             BYE

Tue      Feb 8^th             Round Rock (JV/V)                              Bible                6/8pm

Fri        Feb 11^th           Westwood (JV/V)                                 RRISD             6/8pm

Tue      Feb 15^th           Pflugerville (JV/V)                               Bible                6/8pm

Fri        Feb 18^th           Stony Point (JV/V)                               Dragon            6/8pm

Tue      Feb 22^nd           McNeil (JV/V)                                        Bible                6/8pm

Fri        Feb 25^th           Georgetown (JV/V)                              Bible                6/8pm

Wed    Mar 2^nd            BYE

Fri        Mar 4^th             Round Rock (JV/V)                              Dragon            6/8pm

Tue      Mar 8^th             Westwood (JV/V)                                   Bible                6/8pm

Fri        Mar 11^th           Pflugerville (JV/V)                                Kuemple       6/8pm

Tue      Mar 22^nd          Stony Point (JV/V)                               Bible                6/8pm

Fri        Mar 25^th           McNeil (JV/V)                                        RRISD             6/8pm

   As the beginning of the district nears Leander boys varsity soccer team is finally starting to come together, making all of the full 24 player team feel comfortable. They have high hopes of going to playoffs this season, a feat that has yet to be accomplished since Coach Timo Sheard’s departure in 2001.

  Plagued with injuries and illness, the boys team started off slow, losing Dani Alvarado to a concussion. The team was unable to place in the Hays Rebel Cup Tournament, but did seem to come together and make it work with a tie and a 4-0 victory the last two games.

   Tuesday night the boys played away at Rouse Raiders. With a lack of focus to start the game, it took a near goal in the first minute for the boys to regain focus and get the ball rollin’. In response the boys traveled up field where “Blackie” (Timothy Black) senior, got the first goal of the night, a heel to the upper ninety in the second minute. It did not stop there.

   Again, in the eighth minute, Alex Cortes, junior, headed the ball in off of a cross from Daimon Gonzales, senior. Once again a header by “Cheeky” (Eric Bello) senior, in the 15^th minute, added another goal.

   As the Raider defense started to fall, the boys kept it respectful and continued to play their game, even after many Raiders began to foul.

   A substitution in the 17^th minute resulted in yet another goal in the 23^rd minute by Julian Moniot, senior, giving the Leander boys three assurance goals to end the first half.

   The second half started off slow for Leander, resulting in an excellent placed goal by Rouse during the 54^th minute.

   Once again, to get the ball rollin’, Benjamin Plett, senior, scored a shot from out of the 18 yard box in the 68^th minute.

   With for sure victory, the Lions continued to play their game to the very last second, where Louis Martinez, freshman, scored his first goal of the season with three seconds to spare, making for a promising future for the future.

   For years the boys have claimed to be the change for Leander; “We have been saying we would be a playoff team our senior year, since our freshman year, and this is a promising start to that journey,” Vincent Fussell, senior, said.  

   Thursday night, the boys started the Vista Ridge Showcase with a great game, tying Vista Ridge Rangers 0-0.

   Russ Girard, coach, and the boys would like to thank the fans for coming out and showing their support for the team as well as invite them to keep coming out. You can cheer the Lions soccer team on Friday Jan. 21 at 6:00p.m. At Gupton Stadium, when they take on McCallum High and again on Saturday Jan. 22 at 1:00p.m. against Liberty High, at Vista Ridge High School.

Will Frolick has been a part of the Leander family and the Lion varsity soccer for two years. Now in his senior year and under the supervision of a new coach, he has led the Lions varsity team through many victories.

Q: Do you plan on continuing your soccer career after high school?

A: No.

Q: Then what are your plans for after high school?

A: I’m going to attend Texas Tech.

Q: How long have you been playing soccer?

A: Seven years.

Q: Why?

A: Because it’s fun.

Q: What will you miss the most about high school?

A: The soccer team, mostly because of my friends.

Q: What would you say to the upcoming freshman planning to join soccer?

A: I’d tell them to work hard, because you can miss out on many things sitting on the bench.

   The boys’ soccer team had an all around win against Stony Point, the first game of their season; first the JV soccer team defeated Stony Points JV 2-1 with both goals scored by Saul Morales in the sixtieth minute with an assist by Angel Urbina and a Penalty kick in the sixty-third minute.

   The varsity soccer team then defeated Stony Point, not allowing any goals from the opposing side with a victory of 2-0. Both goals were scored by Damon Gonzalez in the fifteenth and seventy-fifth minute.