Varsity boys soccer loses to Lamar, 5-4; Coach calls stadium ‘electrifying’
Senior Ron Matsi dribbles the ball through three Lamar defenders.
Feb 3, 2021
The boys varsity soccer team played their second game of the season on Jan. 29 against archrival Lamar High School. In a nail-biting game that came down to penalty kicks, the Texans beat the Cardinals 5-4.
Lamar started with an early lead in the first half after being awarded a penalty kick. Bellaire responded with three unanswered goals going into the second half. However, Lamar seemed to gain a second wind after halftime, scoring two goals to leave the game tied up with 15 minutes left. In the final minutes of the game, Bellaire scored a clutch goal that gave them the lead. Lamar responded with another goal, leaving the game tied, 4-4.
Due to UIL varsity soccer regulations, after a regular-season tie, the game goes to penalty kicks to decide the winner. Players lined up at the 50-yard line at Delmar stadium as five players from each team walked up to kick their respective penalties. Lamar eked out the victory.
Team captain Eugene Heger, senior, said the team was looking forward to the game after coming off of a recent loss to Heights High School.
“We did not win our game on Wednesday, so I was really looking forward to rectifying that performance,” Heger said. “I was also injured in that game so I was trying to get back into shape and play the best I could against Lamar because they are a big rival. I wanted to provide for the team as best as I could.”
Despite losing the second game, Coach Jeremy Rodgers was optimistic.
“Lamar is our district rival and we expected a close game and that is what we got,” Rodgers said. “It was electrifying in the stadium, I loved the energy and enthusiasm and it definitely encouraged each team to play their best. This is only our second district game and so we are still working to develop our chemistry, still learning to play as a fluid unit and move forward as one entity as we pursue our third consecutive district championship.”
Heger looks forward to his final season on the team.
“I think we are looking to win districts and getting our third consecutive district championship so we can go out on a high note,” Heger said. “Our team is performing better and it prepares for a good year ahead.”
As for Coach Rodgers, he is only thinking about the team’s upcoming Senior Night game against Sam Houston at Butler stadium.
“The most important game of the season is the next one,” Rodgers said.
