By ROY HESS | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD
Nothing seems to be stopping the Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers in the District 32-5A boys soccer race.
Playing Tuesday’s home game against Mercedes at Lopez, the Chargers (9-0, 26 points) prevailed over the Tigers 3-2 to keep their district record intact in 32-5A competition. It was a good night for the Brownsville Veterans boys and girls as the Lady Chargers won the nightcap of the 32-5A doubleheader with a 4-0 triumph over the Lady Tigers.
In the boys match, it wasn’t exactly easy, though, as the Chargers led 2-0 before the Tigers (2-7, five points) fought back to even the score at 2-2 with goals during the 56th and 62nd minutes.
The Chargers’ Jose Zamora scored on a header from the right side during the 67th minute to provide the game-winner and seal the 3-2 victory.
“It feels great to help out the team,” said Zamora, a senior central defender. “It was a crucial header.”
Added teammate Juan Amieva, a junior defensive midfielder, “We didn’t play our best game tonight, but we came out with the victory. We’re still in front (in the district race).”
The first two goals for Brownsville Veterans were scored by Mark Boswell in the eighth minute and Albert Maradiaga in the 43rd minute.
Chargers coach Alberto Vasquez said Mercedes is a dangerous team that has had some close games against Brownsville squads. In the first round of district, Lopez edged the Tigers 3-2 in overtime and Porter prevailed over them 2-1. Brownsville Veterans beat Mercedes 2-0 in the first round.
“I told the Mercedes coach the first time we played them that I thought they had a solid team,” Vasquez said. “Unfortunately, that’s the way this sport is — sometimes you win a lot of close games and sometimes you can lose a lot of close games (like Mercedes). They’ve competed very well against everybody, including us tonight.
“Things haven’t gone Mercedes’ way, and fortunately (for us) they didn’t go their way tonight,” he added. “We’re still right there (with a two-point lead in first place).”
In the girls match, scoring goals for the Lady Chargers (5-4, 15 points), who remain in the thick of the 32-5A playoff race, were Samantha Bodden (two) and one apiece by Melissa Medina and Hannah Obregon.
The Lady Chargers led 2-0 at intermission.
“We knew we had to come out and do our job tonight,” Lady Chargers coach Luis Troncoso said. “We had to correct some of the things that happened last week (in a 2-0 loss to Pace).
“I think it was more about us coming out and executing in this game and not worrying about the opponent,” Troncoso added. “We couldn’t worry about anyone but ourselves in trying to take care of the little mistakes (we made before).”