By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
Anyone not believing this season’s District 32-6A boys soccer race is going to be one of the most balanced it has been in years top to bottom should have attended Tuesday’s district opener between Hanna and San Benito, or for that matter, any of the other three 32-6A boys openers the same night.
While Hanna has received a nod from several informed sources as a district favorite, it’s accurate to say San Benito has entered the new season somewhat under the radar.
Still, when the teams met Tuesday for their 32-6A opener at San Benito’s Bobby Morrow Stadium, it was the Greyhounds who led 1-0 with a goal midway through the second half. Somehow, Hanna rallied during the final 18 minutes or so with a pair of goals by Oscar Cordoba and one by Juan Alexis Hernandez to win 3-1.
Hanna coach Reyes Prado said the match was anything but easy.
“It was, as anticipated, a tough game,” Prado said. “San Benito is very well-coached and was ready to play against us. After San Benito went up on the scoreboard, our team showed more desire and willingness to take over the game. We scored three goals in a lapse of 10 minutes or so to regain control of the game.
“We have heard that our district is one of the toughest in the state. Well, the results of the first night of games prove that,” Prado added. “People think that just because Brownsville schools have set the bar way up high that the other teams are going to lay down and we should have easy games. On the contrary, every team is out to get points against the BISD teams.
“You will see more grey in the hair of Brownsville coaches by the end of the season, but we always enjoy a good match against every good team like the ones in our district.”
In other 32-6A boys matches Tuesday, Lopez received all the battle it could handle in defeating Los Fresnos 2-0, Rivera edged Harlingen High 1-0 and Brownsville Veterans Memorial prevailed against Harlingen South 2-1 in penalty kicks.
PACE TEAMS SHINE: It was a successful District 32-5A season debut at home for the Pace boys and girls Tuesday.
Going against Mercedes, the Vikings won 2-0 and the Lady Vikings triumphed 7-0.
After a scoreless first half in the boys match, Pace’s Efrain Gutierrez and Abel Jaramillo each tallied a goal to lift the Vikings to victory.
“It is always good to start (district) with a win, especially playing at home,” Vikings coach Mario A. Zamora said. “Now we are focused on getting a ‘W’ against Donna (High) on the road (Friday).”
The Lady Vikings were up 3-0 at halftime and won handily thanks to three goals each from Kryssie Rivera and Alexis Guajardo. JoAnn Sanchez added one goal.
“Having a win in the district opener gives us the confidence we need to keep on working hard,” Lady Vikings coach Jesus O. Villarreal said. “We are not going to make any assumptions (about winning) for any team nor any game. We are trying to stay balanced in all lines on the field, and last night proved that we are much better at it.
“The girls are practicing very hard and following instructions,” Villarreal added. “They are playing as a team as well, which is something very important for accomplishing our planned objectives.”
GOOD START FOR RAIDERS: Instead of pointing toward April 18, like last year, the Rivera Raiders had been focusing on Tuesday’s first district game.
They came away from their opening 32-6A match on the road Tuesday against Harlingen High with a 1-0 victory thanks to a first-half goal by Eliezer “Chaii” Acero with an assist from Julian Espinoza.
“It feels good to start on the right foot in district competition,” Raiders coach Salvador Garcia said. “We knew it was a vital game for our goal (of returning to the playoffs), and we needed the three points. It should help us to keep improving.
“It seems to me, or maybe it’s just wishful thinking, that things are turning around in our favor,” Garcia added. “By Friday we are getting some key players back from grades and injuries, and that should help.
“Defensively (Tuesday), we had a good game with Hernan Cruz being our leader in the back.”
PORTER UPDATE: The Porter Cowboys, the Rio Grande Valley’s top-ranked team by RGVSports.com, opened 32-5A action Tuesday with a 5-0 victory at Donna North with goals by Marco Don Juan (two), Ricky Vidal, Alexis Armendariz and Jose Pardillo.
The Cowgirls weren’t quite as fortunate, losing 1-0 at Donna North.
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess.