By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
It was almost the ideal tuneup for next week’s start of District 32-6A soccer competition.
The key word is almost.
The Lopez Lobos scored early and were looking pretty good with a 4-1 lead against McAllen Memorial during Friday’s non-district match at Sams Memorial Stadium.
Then the Mustangs scored a pair of goals during the final 26 minutes to take the Lobos out of their comfort zone as Lopez prevailed 4-3.
McAllen Memorial and Lopez are ranked No. 7 and No. 8, respectively, this week in the Rio Grande Valley by RGVSports.com.
“We had a good start, and then I don’t know what happened the last 20 minutes or so,” Lopez coach Amadeo Escandon said. “I think we had a little letdown or something. They pressed us and scored on us.”
Lopez had just lost to the Mustangs during tournament play earlier this month in Mission.
“More than seeking revenge or anything like that — Memorial is a great team — we were just trying to get ready for district, which is coming up next Tuesday,” Escandon said. “That’s mainly what we were looking for. Hopefully we can tweak a few things here and there (and we’ll be ready).
“One is never satisfied with a game that turned out like this one because they scored three goals on us,” he added. “That means we have to fix a few things. But I saw a lot of positive things tonight, so we’ll continue to work on what we have to fix and focus on the positives.”
A goal by Alan Reyes barely 90 seconds into the match made it 1-0 for the Lobos. Then came goals by teammates Jose Echevarria and Allan Ramos to boost the lead to 3-0 just nine minutes into the action.
McAllen Memorial’s Luis Cardenas caught the Lopez goalkeeper out of position away from the net and put his team on the scoreboard during the 12th minute, which accounted for the 3-1 score at intermission.
A converted penalty kick by German Vera after a tripping violation enabled the Lobos to go ahead 4-1 during the 50th minute. Cardenas and Leo Saavedra added the Mustangs’ final two goals during the 54th and 62nd minutes, respectively, with Cardenas’ second tally coming on a penalty kick.
“This was a great tuneup (for District 30-6A) for us against a great Lopez team,” Mustangs coach Eduardo Calderon said. “We need to work on our set plays, but this match was a good thing because it’s a learning process, and we’re going to (eventually) get there and be where we want to be.
“This is my third year (as coach) and these are basically the same players I’ve had for three years now, “ Calderon added. “We have a few new freshmen, but it’s really the same team. They’re just a lot better now.”
Lopez next plays its 32-6A opener at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Sams against Los Fresnos.
The Mustangs have one more non-district match at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Sharyland Pioneer before beginning 30-6A action at home against La Joya High at 7:30 p.m. Friday.