By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
St. Joseph Academy’s recently completed soccer season was historic in a number of ways.
The Bloodhounds (16-4-2) won a district championship trophy in soccer for the first time and reached the TAPPS Division I state semifinals for the first time as well.
Another first for the team came last week when three SJA players were selected to the TAPPS all-state first team. No one from the school previously had been voted to the all-state first team in soccer.
The three first- teamers are attacking midfielder Jose Kauache , center midfielder Andres Rico and goalkeeper Mario Ramirez.
“Postseason accolades are a testament to the hard work and effort put forth by the entire team,” SJA coach Tino Villarreal said. “With that said, the boys who were awarded all-state honors are well-deserved.
“This is another stepping stone for our young program,” Villarreal added. “I know we are already eager for next year.”
Also for the Bloodhounds, central defender Rodrigo Salinas and center midfielder Gerardo Elizondowere selected as all-state honorable mentions, and defenders Carlos Sanchez and Alvaro Navarro were named academic all-state.
All-district selections also were announced and the Bloodhounds had six players on the first team. They are Kauachi, Rico, Ramirez, Salinas, Elizondo and Navarro. Earning second-team all-district were Sanchez, outside midfielder Luis Amaroand forwards Gerardo Moses and Mario Garcia.
Named honorable mention all-district were midfielders Anuar Atiye and Adrian Cerda, central defender Rodrigo Sanchez and backup goalkeeper Manolo Rodero.
OUTRIGHT CHAMPS
The Rio Grande Valley’s No. 3-ranked Porter Cowboys (12-0, 35 points) clinched sole possession of the District 32-5A title with Monday’s 5-0 victory at Donna High.
Enrique Soto and Alexis Anzures each scored a pair of goals for the Cowboys and teammate Anthony Cuellar added one.
Porter coach Jose Espitia said his team’s showing so far this season is pretty satisfying as the Cowboys are taking care of “unfinished business” after missing the playoffs last season for the first time since 1999.
The Cowboys now have captured their first district title in soccer since 2004.
“Well, it’s always nice to win a district title, but our goal is bigger than that,” Espitia said. “Every game is a step closer (to state).
“I am proud of our boys because they have worked very hard since the offseason,” he added. “I just hope they stay humble and continue on the same path.”
Porter is now off until March 17 when it plays host to PSJA High.
It was a good Monday for the Porter Cowgirls as well, as they won 4-0 at Donna High.
IMPORTANT WIN
The Pace Vikings (7-5, 20 points) are trying to join Porter in the playoffs from 32-5A.
Playing Monday at BrownsvilleSportsPark, the Vikings rallied for a 2-1 victory over Donna North (7-5, 20 points), a team they are contending with for a playoff spot. The Vikings and Chiefs are tied for third place in 32-5A behind Porter and PSJA Southwest with two games remaining on the district schedule.
Pace fell behind 1-0 midway through the opening half against the Chiefs before tying the score just before halftime and going ahead in the second half.
Scoring the Vikings’ goals were BenllyGalvan and Juan Garza.
“Our defense played a great game,” Pace coach Mario A. Zamora said. “This win is very important to us because it again put us in the playoff race. It was (a credit to) all of our players’ efforts to come back and win 2-1.”
The Pace girls also played Monday at BSP, but weren’t quite as fortunate, coming up short 2-1 against district-leading Donna North.