Boy’s Soccer Make Playoffs with Win over Texans, 2-1

                            Soccer is Playoff Bound after 2-1 Win over Wimberley

Canyon Lake can now claim that every team sport has made the playoffs as Boy’s Soccer knocked off Wimberley, 2-1.

“Speechless and extremely proud,” Head Coach Warren Graham sighed. “We have had a progression as last year we got our first district win and this year we got to 8 wins and that shows you how hard they have worked.”

This game did have several chances for Wimberley to score a late goal and end the Hawk’s season but good defense kept that proverbial ball from crossing the line.

“We just had to keep fighting and I knew they would do their job,” Coach Graham commented remembering those last few minutes of this historic game.

This contest was a win or go home for the Hawks and an early goal in the first half from Matthew Bell gave CL an early lead that they would enjoy throughout this contest.

Bell was assisted by Mike Thorpe on that lead off score.

That first half also had a great save from Goalie Brayden Damico who had a full extension save to keep the lead until the horn to end the first stanza.

Canyon Lake had several players that came together for this culmination of winning and realizing their goal.

“This was my first year to play,” Richard Rosas started. “I am honored to be playing with this team and our seniors. I hope I can follow in their footsteps as we had great relationships coming together this year.”

Richard Rosas, Matt Adams, and Mike Thorpe after win over Texans

Those two Seniors got Canyon Lake up two goals in the second half when Thorpe attacked the goal after a corner kick and Matthew Adams got the assist and 2-0 lead.

“This is awesome,” Adams said after being asked about his feelings on making the playoffs. “Never winning a district game and getting our first one last year and now winning more games and beating Wimberley is awesome.”

That says a lot as beating the Texans and knowing the winner will continue to play gave these players a huge boost.

“I was worried because we lost some Seniors from last year’s team,” Adams continued. “But, we had a great chemistry this year.”

On what Adams was thinking on his break-a-way dribble near the end of the game that sealed the win by getting the ball on Canyon Lake’s side of the field as time was draining off the clock, “I saw their guy out of the corner of my eye and I know I should have gone for the goal, but I just saw Thorpe and passed to him instead.”

Wimberley did respond at the 15 minute mark which caused a lot of angst as a tie would have been all the Texans would need to get that final playoff spot.

That was what made the waning moments so tough as Wimberley had several chances to tie the score before Adams was able to dribble down the field and change the field position for eventual win.

Damico played a great game as he ended with 6 saves on 7 Wimberley shots.

“Honestly we deserved it,” Thorpe said with relief. “I have been playing for 4 years and this team tried harder and we had heart and did not give up.”

Tough to have a team that has shown growth these past few campaigns and now realizing one of those bucket lists being crossed off.

“We are a family and I love these guys,” Thorpe said with purpose.

On what he was thinking as Wimberley had so many chances at the end to tie the score, “As a striker there was nothing I could do but watch and hope the defense does their job. We trust Braydon and he did his job.”

Canyon Lake finished fourth in District 28-4A and will have a bye for the first round of the playoffs.

Next game will be announced after the first round for their first of April clash.

Great Game Hawks and Congrats!!!