By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
Ervin Rocha transformed goalkeeper into one of the strongest positions on the Pace soccer team during his two-plus years as a starter.
The standout Vikings goalkeeper will continue his soccer career beyond high school thanks to Wednesday’s signing with Paris Junior College in Northeast Texas.
Rocha put his name on a college athletic scholarship agreement during a ceremony at Pace High School with family, friends, teammates, coaches and Brownsville ISD personnel on hand to witness the milestone achievement in the young goalkeeper’s life.
“This means everything to me,” Rocha said. “I’ve always wanted to prove what I have on the soccer field at the college level and show my teammates that I can do what I’ve always known I could do.
“I just thank my coaches, my parents, my teammates, and everybody who’s always been there for me, and I also say thanks to Paris Junior College for giving me this great opportunity,” Rocha added. “What I’ve heard is that it’s going to be way more of a challenge to play soccer in college than it is in high school. There are going to be a lot more experienced players and it’s going to be harder, but I’m going to go there and try the best I can.”
Rocha has received all-district and All-Metro honors during his time as a four-year member of the Vikings’ varsity squad. He has been a key performer on the past three Pace teams that reached the state playoffs, including the 2016 squad that advanced to the Region IV-5A final.
“I feel very proud of Ervin,” Pace coach Mario A. Zamora said. “He’s been working very hard these past four seasons. At the beginning of his high school career he said it was his goal to sign and play for a college soccer team. What was once a dream is now becoming true, and I’m very happy for him.
“He didn’t start out as the starter, but he always pushed himself to achieve that,” Zamora added. “When we made it to the regional final two seasons ago (with Ervin as a junior), to me he was our MVP that year. He’s definitely been one of our strongest players. Ervin has been there for us and saved a bunch of goals for us. He has a great attitude that has made him into a No. 1 leader and No. 1 player.”
The soon-to-be Pace graduate said he would like to study business management or exercise science in college.
“It’s been a great honor to play for Pace,” said Rocha, who decided at age 6 to be a goalkeeper. “I wouldn’t trade this high school for any other high school. I’m glad I played for this team. I tried to give everything I had in every single game I played.”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess