GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER
CORPUS CHRISI — PSJA Southwest Javelinas boys soccer junior Humberto Medina stood among his teammates with tears dripping down his face, but with the region IV-5A runner-up trophy proudly raised overhead.
While the Javelinas fell short of state with a 4-2 loss to Georgetown East View on Saturday at Cabaniss Soccer Field, they were happy to have advanced to the regional finals for the first time in school history, hopefully laying the groundwork for a young program to continue to grow.
“I know we feel very bad right now, because of all the hard work we did throughout the season, and for us to lose in this game,” senior Uriel Garcia said. “But I’m very proud of my team. No matter what happened on the field right now, I know they gave it all.”
After the final seconds ran off the clock, many of the Javelinas started to cry. Senior keeper Diego Blanco lay face up on the field as the teams went through the handshake line. Others dropped to their knees for a final prayer.
“Some of the guys were a little bit down, but we told them they’re pioneers,” PSJA Southwest coach Jesus Palomin said. “They’re building a pathway for the next generation.”
Southwest never led but seemed to trade chances and possession evenly from start to finish.
East View broke a scoreless tie with 17:35 to play in the first half, when Eduardo Zuluaga wrangled the ball away from a Southwest defender and poked it past Blanco from 10 yards out.
A controversial ruling early in the second half allowed East View to extend the lead. Following a save by Blanco, East View’s Bryan Argueta corralled the rebound and put it home. The sideline official had his flag raised to signal offsides, but the referee overruled him, allowing the goal to stand as Southwest’s players stood with their arms extended in confusion.
After East View’s Zuluaga finished a cross from point-blank range to extend the advantage to 3-0 with 15:45 to play, a few of the Javelinas were slow to return to their feet, knowing the deficit was a crippling blow.
But PSJA Southwest found a spark when Garcia took the ball from the East View keeper and scored an easy goal to draw the Javelinas within 3-1 with 10:58 on the clock. Palomin waved his arms to signal for players and fans to get fired up, while Medina clapped and yelled to his teammates.
“Even though we were 3-0 with 10 minutes left, we knew we could still make it,” Garcia said.
East View quickly put down the rally, scoring with 5:48 to play to all but ice the game. The Javelinas defense opted to let a 40-yard free kick through to Blanco, but the keeper slipped on the play, allowing the ball to sneak into the net.
The wet, rainy conditions proved to be a factor all day for Southwest, which wanted to use quick, precise passing and sharp cuts to overcome East View’s size advantage.
“For our style of play, it hindered us quite a bit,” Palomin said.
Francisco Montoya’s goal with 46 seconds to play proved inconsequential.
As the players lingered on the field for the trophy presentation, Garcia gathered the group and began yelling to them in Spanish. He told his teammates that they had a chance to return to this point next season, as long as they put in the work.
“I know they can make it further,” Garcia said. “I’ve seen it in their face how much they want it. I know they can make a better team next year. I know they will.”
A trip to state would fit the pattern for Southwest, which advanced to the regional quarterfinals in 2013, the regional semifinals in 2014 and the regional finals this season.
Even with 12 seniors set to graduate, Palomin said he was already seeing the possibilities. The Javelinas start their offseason program on Monday.
“It’s hard to see them like this, but we got one step further than last year,” Palomin said. “Hopefully, next year is the breakout season where we’re able to win state. They already called it. That’s their main goal for next year: State.”