By FREDDY GONZALEZ
Staff Writer
LA FERIA — Success has many levels and considering the fact that La Feria has only had a girls soccer program for seven years; the Lionettes have done pretty well for themselves.
Making the playoffs six out of the last seven years while winning three consecutive district titles isn’t easy by any means. However having star athletes like Addie Vela, Annette Ruiz, and Amarani Martinez on the squad has sure made it look that way.
This season the Lionettes were an unblemished 10-0 in district play and the thought of last years bi-district defeat to Hidalgo still lingers in their mind.
For team captain Amairani Martinez this year has been a season of change. When a fellow teammate went down with a season ending injury during the first district game, the senior stepped in and put the team on her shoulders.
“Last year she had captain ability but this year Amairani has really stepped into that role,” said head coach Norma Tamez. “Amarani stepped up and really took that position.”
This year the senior has led the team with 33 goals 20 of which have come in district play.
“As a forward my job is to score,” said Martinez. “I feel very confident with our team.”
Another senior who has played an important role with the team is Addie Vela. The senior defender center has put on a defensive clinic this season and has helped the team put together an unforgettable year.
“She’s a fighter plain and simple,” said Coach Tamez. “She chipped a tooth last year during a game against San Benito and still came back to play for the next non-district game. She’s really developed and I’ve seen her get better.”
Junior standout Annette Ruiz is another athlete many La Feria fans have heard plenty of. Ruiz played basketball for the first part of the soccer season but still put in an amazing 16 goals in just six district games.
“Annette is a beast on the field,” said Coach Tamez. “She’s everywhere, she one of those players that can’t just be standing there.”
“She’s the type of player other coaches wish they had.”
As the junior states the team is “famished for state” and, along with the rest of the team, she won’t be happy with anything less.
After defeating Monte Alto 7-0 Thurday night, coach Tamez and the Lionettes will host Area Round opponent Pleasanton on Thursday at 7 p.m. in Lions Field.