By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
With so many good soccer teams in Brownsville boasting traditions of success, the Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers are eager to make a name for themselves, too.
The best way to do that is to start winning in the playoffs.
The District 32-6A fourth-place Chargers are on the right track to gaining some dearly sought recognition after defeating District 31-6A champion Edinburg North 3-0 on Friday in a Class 6A bi-district match at Brownsville Veterans’ field.
Capturing their first playoff victory after making it to the postseason four of the past five seasons, including this one, the Chargers now advance to the area round to face La Joya Juarez-Lincoln or Laredo United South.
“This is amazing,” said Humberto Trevino, whose corner kicks from the right side led to the Chargers’ first two goals. “We have a new school, so there are opportunities for us to do things that haven’t been done before. When given an opportunity, you have to do everything you can to make history like we did tonight.”
With nine minutes left in the opening half, Trevino’s corner kick came to teammate Jaime Martinez in the goalmouth. Martinezsent the ball into the net amid a crowd from close range to make it 1-0 at intermission.
Another Trevino corner from the right side just four minutes into the second half carried on a low trajectory over to the left side, where Jesus Gomez drove the ball into the goal on a strong shot from about 15 yards out, increasing the lead to 2-0.
“Corner kicks are something that I practice at least once or twice a week, and to have it come out like you practice it, it feels great,” said Trevino, a junior center midfielder and team captain. “It’s amazing when what you’re trying to do works.”
With three minutes remaining, the Chargers’ Jesus Muniz attacked down the middle on a breakaway and got past the oncharging Cougars goalkeeper before scoring into an open net to account for the final score of 3-0.
Earning their first playoff win was quite a satisfying feeling for the Chargers’ coaches, players and fans.
“This feels like a lot of weight off my shoulders, because after a while you start doubting yourself,” Brownsville Veterans coach Alberto Vasquez said. “You always want to get that first playoff win. I’ve been the head coach here for five years now, and I know my players have worked very hard for this.
“We’re coming out of one of the toughest districts, so I was really hoping our guys would play to their potential tonight, and I really think they did,” Vasquez added. “They were extremely motivated and extremely focused. We were very limited on making mistakes. I’m not even sure we made any major ones at all.
“We played against a very good team, and we were able to play our game. I think that was the most important thing. We didn’t let them play their style. It’s probably the most intensity we’ve shown all year. Our guys played their hearts out, and I’m very proud of them.”