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Wildcats to reload as a playoff team
“A lot of our team is made up of sophomores, so our team understands that we are not rebuilding — we are reloading.”
— Elgin head coach Eddie Lerma
The Elgin and Bastrop boys varsity soccer teams competed in the bi-district round of the playoffs Friday night, but only the Bears managed to keep their season alive.
The Wildcats fell 3-0 to Liberal Arts & Science Academy March 20, while Bastrop secured a 2-1 victory over Pflugerville Connally and advanced to the area round.
ELGIN
The Wildcats struggled offensively in their shutout at Nelson Field in Austin.
Elgin head coach Eddie Lerma said his team will build off the appearance.
“LASA is a really good team, and we just kind of fell a bit short,” Lerma said. “I think it was a lack of experience in the playoffs, but I think my team competed really well, and that’s all I can ask of them.”
Elgin trailed 2-0 at halftime and worked to keep the game within reach, but a second-half goal by the Raptors put the match out of reach.
Elgin head coach Eddie Lerma reflected on his team’s effort following the season-ending loss.
Despite the defeat, the season marked a significant step forward for the program. The Wildcats reached the postseason for the first time since 2014, signaling clear progress and momentum, according to Lerma.
“The future is looking bright,” he said. “A lot of our team is made up of sophomores, so our team understands that we are not rebuilding — we are reloading.”
Lerma emphasized that this playoff appearance is just the beginning, setting a higher standard for the program moving forward.
“A playoff team has to keep getting better day in and day out, so we won’t have any days off,” he said. “We’ll get back into the weight room, back to playing soccer, and the boys are ready for that.”
Elgin is set to return 12 players from this year’s postseason roster, including leading scorer Diego Ramirez, who will enter his senior season next year.
BASTROP
The Bears rallied in the second half to edge the Cougars in a 2-1 victory Friday at the Manor Athletic Complex.
Bastrop trailed 1-0 at halftime but responded with a strong second-half performance. Senior Cayden Justice and junior Angel Chavez Hernandez each scored to lift the Bears to the comeback win.
Freshman Gavin Meraz contributed with an assist in the victory.
The win marks the second consecutive season Bastrop defeated Pflugerville Connally by a 2-1 scoreline in the opening round of the playoffs.
With the victory, Bastrop advanced to face Sharpstown in the area round after press time Tuesday.
