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BASTROP — The Bastrop varsity boys soccer team locked down a playoff berth for the first time in six years by defeating Crockett 2-0 Tuesday, March 4.
The Bears have pieced together a historic run, now holding a 14-5-1 overall record and 6-1-3 mark in district play — a significant improvement over last season’s two district wins.
Head Coach Gregory Vuagniaux attributed the turnaround to the squad’s growth and commitment.
“Last year, we had a lot of players with little varsity experience,” he said. “We set expectations and goals for ourselves coming into this season, and we’ve focused on those every day — whether in training sessions or games. Our guys have taken it one day at a time and understand what’s in front of us.”
A blend of veteran leadership and emerging talent has fueled the Bears’ success, according to Vuagniaux.
Sophomore Angel Chavez Hernandez leads Bastrop in goals, while freshmen Franklin Gutierrez-Martinez and Isaac Velazquez have also been pivotal contributors.
On defense, a backline unit anchored by four senior starters and a senior goalkeeper has piled up 13 shutouts across 20 games.
“They have continuity and experience. They’re determined. We talk a lot about defense and applying pressure, and that mentality trickles down to our midfield and backline,” Vuagniaux added. “We set goals every game, and one of our most common goals is to keep a clean sheet.”
With the postseason around the corner, Vuagniaux emphasized the importance of staying on the front foot.
“Right now, the focus is on being the aggressor in games and controlling the tempo,” he said. “We reinforce that in training sessions — everything is highly competitive, so when we step into a big-game atmosphere, it feels natural.”
The Bears will wrap up the regular season against McCallum Tuesday, March 11, with playoff aspirations high as they seek a deep postseason run.
