Bastrop boys score early in both halves to down Connally in bi-district soccer
- Jim Irish
- Mar 23
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 24
By Jim Irish
Photo by Jim Irish
Bastrop soccer has had little success against Pflugerville Connally in recent years.
As part of the same district before this season, the Cougars had beaten the Bears four consecutive matches the past two seasons. Bastrop beat Connally once in 2022.
Bastrop’s attitude and results are vastly different this season. The Bears’ only loss was against district champions LASA.
"These boys have worked so hard to get here. ... We deserved to be here."
-- Bastrop coach Greg Vuagniaux
The new Bastrop scored early in the first and second halves to establish a confident tone in a 2-1 victory at Elgin over Connally, which had advanced to state semifinals only two seasons ago.
Bastrop last won a playoff match in 2019, downing unbeaten Pflugerville 1-0 on a header by 6-foot-3 striker Jadon Vann.
"These boys have worked so hard to get here,” Bastrop first-year coach Greg Vuagniaux said. "We talked about it at the beginning of the game. We deserved to be here.”
Vuagniaux was the assistant coach and witnessed the four losses to Connally the past two seasons.
"I recognized the mood (before),” he said. ‘(The kids said), They’re better than us. They have special players, faster.’ This was a different mood today. It was a good feeling. I’ve got to give credit to our guys.”
The new Bastrop included a new appearance for some players. Goalkeeper Ezra Gaona dyed his hair blonde.
"We’re excited for the opportunity,” Vuagniaux said. “At the high school level, guys want a little attention.”
The Bears (15-1-6 overall) shocked everyone in the 5th minute of the first half. Cade Mccoy’s long throw-in travelled to the front of Connally’s goal where Angel Chavez, a 6-foot wing, leapt and headed the ball past Connally’s goalkeeper, Roger Ruiz.
"Set pieces are a big part of the game. "(Chavez) is very good in the air."
-- Vuagniaux
"Set pieces are a big part of the game,” Vuagniaux said. “(Chavez) is very good in the air. That’s our skill set. We got the guys that can throw it, and we got guys that can battle in the air. (Chavez) was technical enough to redirect that header.”
Connally, which has advanced to the playoffs in 13 of coach Ryan Ford’s 14 seasons, were stunned but still dangerous.
In the 36th minute, Bastrop didn’t respond quickly enough to a Connally counterattack. A Connally wing broke free and was tripped by Bastrop’s backline. Kleber Barriga beat Gaona on the penalty kick to tie it at 1-1.
Bastrop shook it off. In the 41st minute, Aaron Arellano, a senior wing, dribbled inside the box and was tripped.
"... Bastrop is a fantastic team. They are athletic and confident."
-- Connally coach Ryan Ford
Arellano took the penalty kick and hammered it over the head of substitute goalkeeper Alan Valenzuela for a 2-1 lead. Ruiz was not in goal for the penalty kick because he had received a yellow card.
"We were a little bit down today,” Ford said. "Bastrop has a fantastic team. They are athletic and confident.
"I was proud we found a way to dig out for a (tying) goal.”
The lead held up for the remaining 39 minutes. Play was intense as at least four yellow cards were called.
Bastrop striker Cayden Justice was alert in the 67th minute. Ruiz, Connally’s goalkeeper, attempted to clear the ball, but Justice had a foot on it, kicked it, and forced the goalie to make a save.
Bastrop clashes with Sharpstown in area round
Bastrop advances to the area round against Sharpstown at Bryan Merrill Green Stadium at 7:30 p.m. on Monday. Sharpstown (15-8) crushed Fort Bend Randle 5-0 in bi-district.
Jim Irish is a freelance writer in Bastrop, Texas
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