Deep run in soccer playoffs ends for Bastrop boys

Bastrop striker Caden Justice (green arm band) had this shot snuffed by LASA goalkeer Eamon Griffin

By Jim Irish

Photos by Jason Miller

HUTTO -- Bastrop encountered a more explosive soccer LASA team than it had in District 24-5A matches.

The Raptors (18-4-2) scored in the 2nd minute and rattled off three more goals to blank Bastrop 4-0 in the Class 5A Division II regional finals at Hutto High School on Tuesday.

The Bears (16-6-4) had competed closely against LASA (Liberal Arts and Science Academy of Austin) in district, tying 1-1 at home and losing 2-1 on the road.

Bastrop would have advanced to the state tournament with a victory.

Bastrop's Anthony Reyes (left) grimaces as he battles LASA''s Jonathon Hernandez (11) for control of ball

"It's hard not to be disappointed, but when the dust settles, I think these boys are gonna know exactly what they did for this program and community," said Bastrop coach and bus driver Greg Vuagniaux. "They set a new standard. The standard just continues to rise."

"It's hard not to be disappointed, but when the dust settles, I think these boys are gonna know exactly what they did for this program and community. They set a new standard. The standard just continues to rise."

-- Bastrop coach Greg Vuagniaux

Indeed, Bastrop has moved the bar higher in Vuagniaux's two seasons at the helm. Last season, the Bears advanced to the regional semifinals before falling to Lake Creek 3-2 in the final 22 seconds of the match. They lost only two matches during the season.

This season, Bastrop marched one match further in the playoffs, beating Splendora 4-1 in the third round. This had never been accomplished in school history.

Bastrop's Isaac Velasquez looks up as he is marked by LASA's Martin Fuchs (6)

Vuagniaux, a Nebraska native who played soccer at NAIA Hastings, has challenged his athletes during his short tenure.

"I asked the boys early on," he said. "In our society, there's a lot of me and I, even in team sports. I asked them to turn me into we and play as a family. That's exactly what they did."

"The guys just came out with heart, energy. They just connected."

-- LASA coach Emmanuel Gonzalez

Bastrop met a talented and disciplined LASA squad that has advanced to the state tournament for the first time in the school's sixth season of existence.

"The guys just came out with heart, energy," LASA coach Emmanuel Gonzalez said. "They just connected."

Bastrop's Diego Chavez (2) leaps for a header against LASA's Kiran Kini

With a wind gusting to 22 miles per hour, LASA leading scorer Kiran Kini in the second minute blasted a free kick from 30 yards over Bastrop's wall of defenders that curled into the high left corner of the net past a leaping Bastrop goalkeeper Gavin Meraz.

"(Kini) is the master," Vuagniaux said. "He put pace on the ball right over the wall."

Bastrop had two excellent scoring opportunities in the first 40 minutes. First, senior striker Caden Justice's shot at close range was stopped by LASA goalkeeper Eamon Griffin

Then in the 18th minute, wing Angel Chavez slipped past LASA's defense with the ball. With a one-one-one against LASA goalie Eamon Griffin, Chavez fired early and sent the ball high to the right.

"I think he just got a little anxious," Vuagniaux said about Chavez's decision to not dribble closer to the goalkeeper.

Juan Pizano added a second goal in the 27th minute, while Lucas Thomaz scored on a header in the 39th minute. Prior to the goal, Bastrop left back Alan Almanza collided with a LASA player. Almanza injured his foot and did not return.

Valasquez (right) battles LASA's Juan Pizano for possession

Kini scored his second goal of the match in the 47th minute, streaking down the left sideline and drilling a shot past Meraz.

Despite the wind at its back in the second half, Bastrop was unable to mount scoring opportunities.

"Our guys fought hard. But you have to give it to LASA right now. They are all-around better and defended really well."

-- Vuagniaux

"Our guys fought hard," Vuagniaux said. "But you have to give it to LASA right now. They are all-around better and defended really well."

LASA inserted Marco Vidal at goalkeeper in the second half. Vidal and Griffin each played a half during every match this season. Gonzalez said, "They're equally good."

Bastrop could not penetrate LASA's backline. LASA allowed only six goals in 12 district games.

"The defense has done it all season," Gonzalez said. "We train hard."

LASA will compete against Pieper (19-2-5) in the state seminals at 7 p.m. Friday at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown.

In the other semifinals, Burges (19-5) encounters Wakeland (25-1-1) at 2:30 p.m. on Friday at Birkelbach.

Jim Irish is freelance writer in Bastrop, Texas