Boys Soccer Takes Third in Liberty Tournament
The Warriors soccer team started Liberty’s fourth annual Fall Soccer Tournament on Thursday, Nov. 17 against Oakridge from Arlington. The boys went down 0-1 in the first two minutes of the game. Coach Robert Olivieri made changes to the lineup, and the combination of Jared Beiermann and Matt Jeffery put in the tying goal with 15 minutes left to play. Oakridge then bounced back and put the winning goal in the back of the net with less than four minutes left in the game, with a final score of 2-1.
The second game of the day was against Brentwood of Austin. After the first game, coach Olivieri and coach Chase Hardin went to a 4-4-2 formation where the Warriors possessed the ball very well, was first to every ball, and put pressure on their opponent every time they had the ball. The Warriors won with a final score of 5-1.
On Friday, the Warriors played a team that was undefeated in the Warriors’ bracket, Awty International from Houston. Coach Mike Lettau told the boys it was either win or go home. The boys went out very aggressive and played really hard. Right at the end of the first half, Matt Jeffery found the back of the net with an assist from Jared Beiermann, and the Warriors went up 1-0. During the second half, the boys had the wind in their faces, and they played very strong defense. Corbin McBride made three amazing saves to keep the Warriors on top with a final score of 1-0.
On Saturday, the Warriors played in the semifinals against Tomball Concordia.
“We had to play without some of our starters due to going out of town to see family for Thanksgiving,” said Coach Hardin. “With all that said, we played very well without two starters and controlled the ball very well.”
Tomball put in a goal at about the 20-minute mark. The boys stayed strong going into the second half, and with a combination of Jarius White and Jared Beiermann, the Warriors put in the tying goal. Later, Tomball got a corner kick and put in a nice header into the top corner, and the Warriors went down with a final score of 1-2.
“We played hard and had our chances but could not capitalize,” said Hardin.
He added, “The boys played hard and have seen some major improvements with the boys playing together and being aggressive.
“We have seen that we can play with anyone, so going into district play is going to awesome because the boys have gained the confidence they needed.”
The Warriors open district play Tuesday, Nov. 29 at home and play Nolan Catholic. JV starts at 5:30 p.m. and varsity at 7 p.m.