BY NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER
MISSION — Two of the Valley’s elite boys soccer programs met in the third round of the playoffs. Valley View and Sharyland High gave a big Saturday crowd at Richard Thompson Stadium an instant classic to remember in a 4-3 Valley View victory.
Two second-half goals by Sharyland were answered by two dramatic equalizers by the visiting Tigers to force overtime.
During the 20-minute extra period, both squads traded tallies again — first Valley View followed by Shary’s first equalizing goal.
Almost three hours after the first whistle, it was the Tigers rushing the field and moving on after surviving in penalties (4-2 PKs).
Valley View goalie Diego Cuellar, who had his share of shaky moments in the regional quarterfinal, was able to make a save on Andres Ramirez to put the Tigers into another regional tournament.
“We gave our all, we think we should go to state,” Valley View defender Adrian Rodriguez said. “We think we can win. We have a very powerful team on this pitch.”
Valley View threw everything but the kitchen sink at Sharyland during the final 10 minutes of action. The Rattlers held on to a goal lead for as long as they could, including two seemingly game-saving headers on balls flying to the top corner by defenders.
The Tigers wouldn’t be denied, however. With 1:37 to play, Pablo Torre followed up a Rodriguez free-kick and forced overtime.
“We had to go against all kinds of adversity,” Tigers coach Damian Magallan said through an interpreter. “I always tell the players to fight ‘til the last minute. For example, Cuellar who did a great job of missing a goal and then coming up big in the PKs.”
Rodriguez was a huge part of the Tigers’ comeback efforts. After a goalless first half, Sharyland took the lead on Alberto Martinez’s free kick that Cuellar misplayed.
Rodriguez, who is the Tigers’ sweeper defender and tallest player, made his first offensive contribution with 18:36 to play when he jumped up to head Jorge Amaya’s corner kick into the net past Gabriel Tamez.
Speedy Rattlers forward Carlos Rodriguez gave Sharyland another lead six minutes later. His shot past Cuellar came with 12 minutes left, but with massive fan support and momentum on its side, Shary looked in prime position to knock out the RGVSports.com No. 1 team.
In overtime, with both teams fighting cramps and Valley View’s antics resulting in four yellow cards and an ejection, the drama was nonstop. The bad blood between both units was evident.
Shary and Valley View were district mates in 31-5A the past two seasons. The Tigers have won each of the past five meetings, four by one goal.
Rattlers coach Rev Hernandez said despite many of his players drawn to tears after the loss, his team should have their heads high.
“Our kids left everything on the field, you can’t ask for anything else. Even on the penalties,” Hernandez said. “They don’t have anything to be ashamed of. We have to take our hat off to Valley View. Great players. You see their size, their speed — something else. Our guys have a lot of heart, a lot of pride in the school and the community and they showed it.”
In PKs, all four of Valley View’s players scored, while two Rattlers were unable to convert.
The Tigers advance to the regional semifinal at noon Friday against San Antonio Southwest on Friday in Corpus Christi.