BY GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER
EDINBURG — As Edinburg High senior Juan Alcala stepped up to the final penalty kick of Tuesday’s game, he noticed that Economedes goalie Fernie Lopez was leaning just slightly to the side.
Alcala took advantage by putting as hard a shot as he could straight down the middle, then sprinted to celebrate with his teammates after lifting Edinburg High to a 2-1 win (5-4 in PKs) at Economedes.
“I had to make it. We had to win this game,” Alcala said. “A lot of joy. I can’t express how I feel. It feels awesome. Just awesome, the glory.”
The win moves Edinburg High to 3-1 in District 31-6A, good for a second-place tie with Economedes. Edinburg North leads the district at 4-0.
“It was exciting,” Edinburg High coach Luis Cardenas said. “I think we played real good. Very intense. Very aggressive game from both sides.”
Edinburg High scored first with 20:09 to play. After the Bobcats initial shot inside the box was stuffed by Economedes defender Omar Puente, the loose ball came to Eduardo Cedillo about 25 yards out. Cedillo tucked his shot just under the crossbar.
Only four days after scoring twice in the final minute to pull out a miraculous win against PSJA North, Economedes was not going to be fazed by a late deficit. Brandon Perez scored the tying goal with 7:41 remaining, tapping a shot past the goalie from just a few yards out.
The Jaguars kept the pressure high the rest of the way, especially after Cedillo was sent off for picking up a second yellow card. Economedes had four corner kicks and a clean shot in the box in the final 5 minutes but could not convert.
“My kids did their best, and I praise them for that,” Economedes coach Sam Gonzalez said. “We had opportunities, but we didn’t put them in.”