BROWNSVILLE — A late equalizer by Brownsville Veterans Memorial’s Angela Garcia opened the door for the Chargers to grab an extra point in a penalty shootout.
The Chargers won their first penalty shootout of the season 4-3 after a 1-1 draw to pick up two points against Donna North on Friday night at home in a District 32-5A meeting.
“It was a well-deserved win today,” Chargers head coach Raul Vasquez said. “I am really proud of them. Coming back from behind takes a lot of courage and effort.”
Garcia’s leveler came midway throughout the second half. Garcia was always marked when she received the ball in threatening positions. It is always wise to heavily mark the district’s leading scorer.
Garcia’s goal did not come during a run of play, but on a set piece with a narrow angle.
“It was a shot,” she said. “I was not going to shoot it at first, but coach really pushed me to shoot it, because he believed in me.”
District 32-5A’s top four teams were all in action Friday night. Donna North and Brownsville Veterans Memorial, a 2-vs.-3 meeting, and Harlingen South faced Brownsville Porter.
Brownsville Porter beat Harlingen South 1-0 on Friday night to move into a tie with Brownsville Veterans at second with 35 points. Harlingen South is first still with 40 points.
Donna North is fourth with 33 points and needs positive results the next three matches to move out of fourth.
“There is going to be some changes in the positions,” Donna North head coach Tony Garcia said. “First through fourth is going to change. Even fifth place has a mathematical chance, so these next three games are going to be interesting.”
The Chiefs went ahead after only nine minutes when Rubi Mercado was released in on goal following a beautiful pass behind the defender.
Mercado easily beat the keeper to put her side up 1-0.
“We had a very good first 40 minutes,” Garcia said. “But we gave them the second 40 minutes. After committing so many unnecessary fouls, one of them was bound to go in, and it did. We just could not take care of business in the PK situation.”
Donna North looks to bounce back against Brownsville Porter at 5:30 p.m. at Brownsville Porter, and Brownsville Veterans is set to face Mercedes at 5:30 p.m. at home.