By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
LOS FRESNOS — There’s a new leader in the District 32-6A boys soccer race.
Ramon Garcia’s goal on a high arc from about 25 yards out with seven and a half minutes remaining lifted the Los Fresnos Falcons to a 1-0 victory over the Rivera Raiders on Tuesday at Leo Aguilar Memorial Stadium.
The result enabled the Falcons to move to the top of the 32-6A standings with a 5-1 record and 16 points. Rivera slipped out of first place and now is in second place at 5-1 with 15 points. Hanna, a 3-2 winner against Harlingen High on Tuesday, is close behind the Falcons and Raiders with a 5-1 record and 14 points.
Garcia was attacking down the middle and let his shot fly on the run. The ball came in high and just cleared the crossbar before making it past the goalkeeper and settling into the back of the net.
It was the only goal the Falcons needed.
“We’re battling for first place, so this was a very good win for us,” Los Fresnos coach Javier Navarrete said. “We’re excited about the opportunity (to be in first place) and the challenge. Our guys rose to the challenge tonight.
“I’m very satisfied with how my team played,” Navarrete added. “We had our (scoring) opportunities just like Rivera, and I thought we played poised. We’re a young team with a combination of some experienced players and our guys did really, really well in this game. I’m excited about my boys.”
he first round of district ends Friday as Los Fresnos is at home against Weslaco High, Rivera entertains Harlingen South at Sams Memorial Stadium and Hanna visits Weslaco East.
“There’s no doubt about it, we knew it was going to be a tough game,” Rivera coach Salvador Garcia said. “We know that Los Fresnos has a good team and we know how they play (with determination) for their great coach, so yes, it was going to be a tough one.
“I think we have to give them credit,” the Rivera coach added. “We didn’t play our best game, but it was because of the way they came out to play against us tonight. We have to give the credit to Los Fresnos. It was a hard-fought game. Both teams had their chances. We hit the post twice (with our shots), and that’s just part of the game. Sometimes the ball just doesn’t want to go in for you.”
Rivera lost one of its top scorers, Julian Espinoza, with 25 minutes left when he collided with a Los Fresnos player and took a hard fall to the turf. It appeared Espinoza suffered an upper-body injury and he didn’t return to the match.
“We just hope and pray that he’ll be back soon,” the Rivera coach said.