Burnet girls soccer approaches summer league with same attitude

CAPTION: Kaylie Solorzano is one of several Lady Dawgs committed to getting better and meeting the program’s standards. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography

The Burnet High School girls soccer team is competing in the Highland Lakes Soccer League each Thursday at 5 p.m. at the Burnet Middle School stadium.

Summer league co-director Benjamin Boorman, who serves as the Burnet High School boys soccer head coach, noted the Lady Dawgs are showing why they have been so good for so long. They’ve won the last three district titles and finished third in 2022, the same season that ended in the Class 4A Region III tournament.

And though many key players may have graduated, Boorman noted those who are returning are doing all they can to prepare well for 2026 in an effort to continue win championships.

“This will be a young team,” he said. “They are competitive and have the drive to continue the success that has become the expectation at Burnet.” 

The summer league’s format is 7-on-7 and played on one half of the field. That allows for two matches to be played at once. Boorman noted the objective is to give athletes the opportunity to play and get more touches. This format fits that mold. Gone is the ability to kick the ball a long way — called through balls — and let speedy players get to it. Now it’s about being able to control and possess the ball and passing to the open player. Scoring also is higher.

“There are more goals with one-touch passes and teamwork,” he said. “The more goals, kids get excited. Eleven players on the field getting goals is very difficult. If somebody makes a mistake in 7-on-7, it’s one pass to make a goal.”

Boorman credited the Lady Dawgs for their commitment to playing. In May Kim Myhre-Burnside resigned as the Lady Dawgs head coach to become the cross country and girls soccer head coach at Lampasas Independent School District. Last week new Burnet Consolidated Independent School District athletic director Grant Freeman announced the hire of Doug Ketcham as the Lady Dawgs soccer head coach. Ketcham is coming from Kerrville Tivy High School where he has spent the last two years.

But no matter if the Lady Dawgs see their coaches on the sideline or not, they’re still committed to playing their best, Boorman said. That speaks volumes about the culture and the standards, he added.

“They go to all strength and conditioning workouts,” he said. “That’s a testament to Burnet athletics. They work hard, no matter what. We stepped up – I can see it in the girls’ eyes. They’re excited about playing – you can tell. Our new coach is a very lucky man. They have won a lot, and they’re continuing to push hard. They have all the pieces.”

CAPTION: Erica Flores drops back to protect the goal and not allow a goal. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography