By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
Alexis Anzures and Uriel Sepulveda, two key members of Porter’s state championship soccer team, will continue to play their sport in college thanks to Monday’s athletic scholarship signings.
The standout seniors put their names on scholarship agreements to play for Wiley College in Marshall in the presence of teammates, classmates, Brownsville ISD staff members, friends and family during a signing ceremony at Porter.
It was another feel-good moment following the Cowboys’ 3-2 victory in penalty kicks against Frisco Wakeland that enabled Porter (28-0-1) to claim its second Class 5A state title in soccer on April 16 in Georgetown.
“This (signing) is truly a blessing,” said Anzures, a four-year starter at attacking midfielder and forward. “We always dreamed about winning state for Porter since we were little kids, and we made it happen. Now the both of us going to college together and continuing to play soccer is like the best thing possible. Uriel is my brother. We just want to get over there and start playing as soon as we can. It’s what we love the most.”
Anzures plans to study kinesiology with an intention of becoming a coach, while Sepulveda, a defensive midfielder and three-year starter, will study electrical engineering.
“I feel we’re stronger (going there) together and there’s a higher chance we’re going to succeed,” said Sepulveda of joining his teammate at Wiley. “Since there are already ex-Porter players up there, we feel very comfortable going there.”
Sepulveda said one journey is ending and another is just beginning.
“Playing soccer for Porter is always going to stay in my heart,” he said. “My Cowboy pride is always going to be there and I’m never going to forget Porter. It’s where I’ve grown up, and look at the dreams we’ve made come true.”
“Ever since I was in middle school I wanted to play on this field (at Porter),” Anzures said. “It really hurt that we didn’t get to do what we wanted to do (by winning a state title) my freshman, sophomore and junior years. We went home crying on the bus sometimes.
“We told ourselves we were going to win state this year as seniors and we did it. I’m happy for what’s ahead, but at the same time, I’m sad to leave Porter.”
During his nine seasons as Porter’s coach, Jose Espitia has had 39 of his players sign to play in college.
“It’s a special feeling to see Uriel and Alexis sign because they’ve been with our team for four years,” Espitia said. “At the end of the day, besides all the wins, our main goal for our players is to see them go to college. I’m honored to have coached them and to see them reach their goal of winning a state championship. Now I get to see them go to college.
“I’m excited for these guys, but at the same time, there are mixed feelings because we’re losing two excellent players. I wish them all the best at the next level.”