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The Bastrop Bears varsity boys soccer team had a landmark performance last Friday, defeating Splendora, 4-1, at Bellville High School to advance to the fourth round of the playoffs for the first time in program history.
The victory came on the heels of a 2-1 win over Houston Sharpstown in the area round March 24 at Rudder High School in Bryan, continuing a strong postseason run for the Bears. Head coach Gregory Vuagniaux praised his team’s all-around effort during the stretch.
“I felt like the boys, in all three phases that we work on, pulled it all together,” Vuagniaux said. “We have just been playing really as a unit. Whether we go up a goal or are down a goal, we are focused on the next thing, so I’m very proud of the boys.”
AREA ROUND COMEBACK
Bastrop opened the week with a hard-fought 2-1 comeback victory over Sharpstown, highlighted by a late goal from Gael Ramirez that sealed the win in the 74th minute.
Sharpstown struck early to take a 1-0 lead and maintained offensive pressure for much of the first half. The Bears, however, found their footing late in the half when sophomore Issac Velazquez netted the equalizer in the 37th minute.
The second half featured a back-and-forth battle, with both teams creating scoring chances but unable to break through as defenses held firm. With overtime looming, Ramirez delivered the game winner, chipping in the go-ahead goal to lift Bastrop to victory.
The goal marked just his second of the season.
BEARS BREAK THROUGH
The momentum carried into the next round, where Bastrop turned in a dominant 4-1 win over Splendora.
The Bears’ offense came out aggressive and maintained control throughout the match.
Velazquez led the way with a standout performance, recording two goals and an assist. Franklin Gutierrez opened the scoring in the 28th minute, finishing off a free kick setup from Velazquez to give Bastrop a 1-0 lead.
Velazquez then took over, scoring back-toback goals in the 35th and 38th minutes to extend the lead to 3-0 before halftime.
Sophomore Anthony Reyes added another goal later in the match to cap the scoring and secure the 4-1 victory.
BUILDING A PROGRAM
Now in his second season, Vuagniaux has quickly elevated the program. After guiding the Bears to the third round of the playoffs last year, he has already led them one step further this season.
While the milestone is significant, Vuagniaux emphasized that the team’s focus remains on its ultimate goal.
“It’s definitely an accomplishment for the program,” he said. “However, it’s not our end goal. Even last year when we lost in the third round, our goal has been to make it to April. It’s really hard not to celebrate an accomplishment, but as an athlete, you have to focus on what’s in front of you.”
The Bears aimed to take the next step toward that goal as they faced Austin Liberal Arts & Science Academy in the fourth round after press time Tuesday, March 31. The Bastrop-LASA winner meets the Liberty Hill-Comal Pieper winner this weekend in the state semifinals.
