By ROY HESS | Staff Writer
Marcela “Marcy” Garza became the MVP-caliber player the Pace Lady Vikings needed to win another District 32-5A championship.
The standout senior center midfielder who facilitated much of her team’s offensive success with creativity, assists and well-placed passes is The Brownsville Herald’s All-Metro MVP in girls soccer for 2019.
She won the same award in 32-5A this season as the district’s coaches recognized her talents on the field in helping the Lady Vikings go 23-9-3 overall and 11-3 in district play. The Pace girls were back-to-back 32-5A champions for the first time in school history in their sport.
Pace’s Jesus O. Villarreal, the All-Metro Coach of the Year, said selecting Garza as the MVP was a wise choice.
“Marcy did a tremendous job, and even last year as well,” Villarreal said. “She was practically the pillar, or one of the pillars, of the team. She served as the bridge between the defense and the offense. If that bridge broke, we would not have had that connection and that communication between our offense and defense.
“In general, that’s Marcy,” he added. “It’s her personality. She’s that hustling player in between the lines that helps on top (offensively) and helps on the bottom (defensively). She will get you out of trouble (on the defensive end) and start something (offensively).
“Many times we would finish the plays (and score) when the ball passed through Marcy. That’s how important she was to the team.”
Garza recently signed to play her sport next school year at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, so her soccer career is far from over.
“I was actually very surprised (my senior season brought these awards),” Garza said. “It’s been better than I could ever imagine it would be. Since I was young, I dreamed of playing in high school and in college. I never imagined it would go by this quickly. I’m very honored, blessed and humbled to receive these awards. I’m looking forward to seeing where all this will take me.
“I enjoy just being that rock and that backbone for the team,” she added. “My teammates know they can count on me defensively, and when we’re wanting to attack (offensively) into that final third (of the field). I love sacrificing for my team and just giving it what I have. It’s like everything is there and open in the midfield. It’s like home to me. I just enjoy that pressure and also that freedom (to make something happen).”
Teammate Alexis Guajardo, the All-Metro Offensive Player of the Year with 37 goals this season and 101 for her high school career, said Garza is an amazing player.
“Marcy may be quiet and little, but people should never underestimate her,” Guajardo said. “She may not have height, but she’s ferocious on the field. Marcy’s a heck of a player, and I’m lucky I got the opportunity to play with her.”
Kryssie Rivera, a former teammate now playing at UTRGV, won All-Metro MVP honors for the Lady Vikings last season.
“I’m very excited and very humbled to be following Kryssie,” Garza said. “From a young age, Kryssie and I grew up together (playing soccer). I’ll never forget when she gave me her captain’s badge last year and told me it was my turn (to be a leader for the team).”
Along with God, Garza thanks her parents, Greg and Jessica Alaniz Nieto, her family, her coaches, her teammates and her friends for all their support.
“Receiving this (All-Metro MVP) award, I feel like I’m making my family proud and my team proud,” Garza said. “I’m just very humbled and blessed. Brownsville is definitely my home (after living elsewhere). I can’t thank soccer enough for taking me to see many places.
“I know it won’t be easy over there at UTRGV, but I’m ready for the challenge,” she added.