Lakewood Ranch High soccer loses in regional quarterfinals

The Mustangs started slow and fell 2-1 to Wiregrass Ranch High.


Junior Wilmer Yanez (10) gets a tap on the head from junior Travis Freeman (9) following the Mustangs' 2-1 loss to Wiregrass Ranch High. Freeman scored the Mustangs' only goal.
Junior Wilmer Yanez (10) gets a tap on the head from junior Travis Freeman (9) following the Mustangs' 2-1 loss to Wiregrass Ranch High. Freeman scored the Mustangs' only goal.
  • East County
  • Sports
  • Share

After reaching the championship game last season, the Lakewood Ranch High Mustangs were set to make another run, or so they thought.

Travis Freeman celebrates scoring a goal for Lakewood Ranch in the second half. It would be the Mustangs' only goal of the game.
Travis Freeman celebrates scoring a goal for Lakewood Ranch in the second half. It would be the Mustangs' only goal of the game.

Instead, a regional quarterfinal matchup with Wiregrass Ranch High (24-5-1), ranked 89th nationally by MaxPreps, proved to be their downfall.  Lakewood Ranch lost 2-1, sending seniors like star forward Pablo Vargas home earlier than expected. 

The Mustangs (15-2-4), ranked 26th nationally themselves, could not get anything done offensively in the first half, allowing Wiregrass Ranch to dominate possession. They went into halftime down 1-0, and though they played more like themselves in the second half, tying the game on an early goal from junior Travis Freeman, a late goal from the Bulls proved to be the difference. 

Junior Ryan Freeman made 11 saves in net. 

Vito Bavaro talks to his team about learning lessons from its 2-1 loss to Wiregrass Ranch in the regional quarterfinals.
Vito Bavaro talks to his team about learning lessons from its 2-1 loss to Wiregrass Ranch in the regional quarterfinals.

"Two good teams," Lakewood Ranch coach Vito Bavaro said. "The last three years, it's been 2-1, either they won or three won. It's always fun to play against a well-coached team. I wish them a lot of luck.

We came out flat. All year we started off slow. Going into this week our mindset was not 100% where it needed to be. You can't come out slow against a good team."

Bavaro said he's proud of this team for winning the district championship for the sixth year in a row, and is excited about the pieces the team brings back next season, including the Freeman brothers, junior Wilmer Yanez, midfielder Alex Thompson and a strong defense. 

 

Latest News

Sponsored Content