By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
SAN BENITO— The Porter Cowboys felt fortunate they didn’t have to play soccer in the cold, rainy weather conditions of the past weekend.
Still, they got a little taste of it Tuesday by opening their season with a non-district match at San Benito that was played in 40-degree temperatures and at times a slight drizzle at Bobby Morrow Stadium.
The Cowboys built a two-goal first-half advantage and made it stand up for a 2-0 victory.
“I like the way our guys played with confidence,” Porter coach Jose Espitia said. “There was a lot of communication on the field and a lot of passing. The players feel confident about how they’re playing right now, and they’re happy. It gives us a little motivation and a push (to do well).
“We were excited to be playing because it seems like everyone else has already started playing,” Espitiaadded. “We tried different lineups throughout the game, and I’m really happy that even though we had so many substitutions — at one point (in the second half) we substituted all 11 players — the team never slowed down. We kept on attacking and had opportunities (to score), so that was good, especially with the BISD Tournament coming up this week.”
Porter’s initial goal came with just less than 22 minutes remaining in the first half on a direct kick taken by David Pacheco from the middle of the field just outside the area.
The Cowboys’ second goal was scored seven minutes later by Daniel Brisenowith just less than 15 minutes to go in the opening half on a long-range shot from about 30 yards out that came in high and got past the Greyhounds’ goalkeeper.
Starting Thursday, the Cowboys will be defending their championship in the 32-team Brownsville ISD Tournament at BrownsvilleSportsPark.
San Benitowas coming off its season-opening appearance at last weekend’s 42-team Mission Eagle Invitational. The Missiontournament was played last Thursday and Friday, but inclement weather forced it to be canceled one day early Saturday.
In Tuesday’s junior varsity match that was played before the varsity contest, the Cowboys scored with just less than one minute remaining to come away with a 1-0 victory over the Greyhounds.