BY NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER
LA JOYA — La Joya Juarez-Lincoln did not execute a perfect first half against Sharyland High. In fact, the visitors might have played a better, more cohesive 40 minutes Friday night at La Joya ISD Stadium.
Fluidity on offense did not turn into goals for Sharyland early, however. Juarez-Lincoln rode an opportunistic first-half advantage and strong play from its senior goaltender en route to a 3-1 win in both teams’ non-district finale.
The battle of two teams that have represented the RGV at the state tournament in Georgetown did not disappoint, even as both teams focused on healthiness with district matches starting Tuesday.
Just over a minute after the game’s starting whistle, Juarez-Lincoln’s Ernesto Salinas was bumped to the turf inside the penalty area. Sergio Escanero converted the penalty kick to effectively give the Huskies the lead from the jump.
“Whenever you score, it really depends who you’re playing — sometimes you need to play defense and protect the advantage you have,” Juarez-Lincoln coach Victor Ramos said. “That’s what we did and we took advantage and scored the second goal.”
The Huskies’ second tally was a demoralizing goal to concede for the Rattlers, who were picking up the intensity as the half developed.
Nicolas Diaz received the ball with a defender closely marking him, but a failed clear gave him a clean breakaway that he kicked home past the Shary keeper.
Juarez-Lincoln goalie Christopher Banda, who was one of only two players on the field to play on the Huskies team that went to the 2017 UIL state tournament, was tested from different angles.
Sharyland forwards Carlos Rodriguez and Andres Ramirez were constant threats, but couldn’t beat Banda during the first half. The goalie had to fully extend to stop each striker on respective chances in the opening 40 minutes.
Rodriguez was the Rattlers’ most dangerous player and it was no surprise that his team kept looking to find his feet when they were building an attack.
Even though Banda had to dive for those saves, he felt he wasn’t challenged unless the Rattlers used their size in the air.
“Sharyland was a really tall team and we have trouble with them, but only on the height,” Banda said. “Most of the game we dominated, and that’s what we’re looking for, dominating all games.”
As the game went on the Rattlers looked to find their duo of defenders, Alejandro Castello and Thierry Macias, both of whom tower over six feet, in the box.
“We know that Sharyland always has a great team,” Ramos said. “Right now, we’re resting some of the kids, so we had three kids out. That, and we still have kids that need more experience, but I think that they played a great game. It was a very exciting game and I’m happy with the result.”
The Rattlers finally saw their hard work turn into a point on the scoreboard just under nine minutes into the second frame.
Felipe Andrade caught a high Huskies boot in the face inside of the penalty area. While both sides had their gripes with “el árbitro” — the head referee — it was hard to argue the contact.
Rodriguez kicked the ball to his left, while Banda dove the opposite direction and Sharyland was on the score sheet.
Considering the play leading up to that point, Sharyland had plenty of time, momentum and ability to level the game, but Juarez-Lincoln hunkered down defensively.
Banda’s next tense moment came with 24:24 to play, when he had to stop Alonso Gonzalez, who couldn’t finish an outnumbered rush.
Sharyland pushed late, but couldn’t find the mark on a free kick outside of the box or a corner kick in the final eight minutes.
The Huskies added a goal as time was running out on a penalty kick with 2 seconds to play to perhaps give an impression of more separation between the two teams.
Sharyland High begins 31-5A play on home turf Tuesday against Juarez-Lincoln’s sister school, La Joya Palmview, which returned to Class 5A following the latest UIL alignment.
The Huskies also get started with a district newcomer on Tuesday, when they host the PSJA North Raiders.