Marble Falls boys soccer team opens tourney with win

MARBLE FALLS — The Marble Falls High School boys soccer team avenged last season’s loss to Austin KIPP by posting a 2-1 victory Jan. 11 in the opener of the Mustangs’ Winter Classic.
“I was very pleased,” Marble Falls head coach Michael Nave said. “They were mentally prepared. That’s about as perfect a first game as you can get.
Both Marble Falls goals came in the first half.
Marble Falls senior fullback Ivan Botello broke away from the pack and knocked the ball into the middle of the net with 16 minutes 38 seconds remaining in the first half.
The second goal was courtesy of senior forward Misael Garcia with 4:45 remaining in the half.
KIPP scored with 2:45 left in the contest.
Overall, Nave said he liked the defensive pressure from the Mustangs, noting both squads were evenly matched. Marble Falls was able to take advantage of one mistake in the box, he said.
“Our players kept our composure,” he said. “We made them pay. You want to have a team that takes advantage of those opportunities.”
TOP PLAYERS: Goals – Ivan Botello and Misael Garcia
BEST OF THE REST: Goalie Carlos Campos, who had two diving saves in the first half
RECORD: Marble Falls is 1-0.
NEXT GAME: Marble Falls vs. Lampasas, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 11 and Austin LBJ, noon Jan. 12. Both games at Mustang Stadium, 2101 Mustang Drive in Marble Falls
[tabs style=”default”] [tab title=”PHOTO 1″]
Marble Falls High School sophomore goalie Carlos Campos makes a diving save during the Mustangs’ 2-1 win against Austin at the Winter Classic on Jan. 11. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
[/tab] [tab title=”PHOTO 2″]
Marble Falls High School junior wing Salvador Salazar (left) uses his head to pass the ball to a teammate. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
[/tab] [tab title=”PHOTO 3″]
Marble Falls High School sophomore Jimmy Fermin (left) challenges an opposing player for the ball. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
[/tab] [/tabs]