SAN BENITO — It is hard to beat a team four times in a season, even harder when a spot in the fourth round is on the line.
Brownsville Rivera held off a game Harlingen High to win the fourth meeting between the sides 1-0 on Friday night at Bobby Morrow Stadium in San Benito to book a spot in the Class 6A Region IV tournament next week in San Antonio.
It was not the traditional Raiders win, in which they dominate time on the ball, wear down opponents and create multiple opportunities. It was a smash and grab, and Brownsville Rivera was happy to concede possession and live off the counter.
“We bend, but we do not break,” Raiders head coach Salvador Garcia said. “Defensively, again, what else can you ask for? They put a lot of pressure on us, and we did a great job defensively.”
The Raiders were not held under siege by the Cardinals. Brownsville Rivera won challenges outside of the box frequently and did not surrender many threatening touches in the box, but they did concede plenty of set piece opportunities.
The Cardinals had a height advantage and have scored in those situations during previous encounters. Raiders captain Jose Diaz and the defense were up to the challenge.
“We did good,” Diaz said. “We had some problems, but we fixed it during the game.”
Harlingen High’s best opportunity to score came during the 54th minute, but the post denied the Cardinals from an equalizer.
“The result could have gone either way,” Cardinals head coach Joseph Johnson said. “All we could ask for is a fight for 80 minutes, and that is what they did. I am proud of them.”
Harlingen High played a high line, allowing for it to have numbers constantly in the Brownsville Rivera half. Clean dribbling and great combination play had the Raiders on their toes.
“We were expecting that,” Garcia said. “They were peaking at the right time, and they have been playing great soccer. It is a shame one of us is staying behind.”
Brownsville Rivera striker Cesar Garza had the lone goal in the match. Garza was living on the shoulders of the defenders all night. The striker found space behind the Cardinals’ defense during the 20th minute.
Harlingen High raised hands for offside, but the flag did not come up this time as Garza took his chance. Garza finished off a counter a few minutes earlier, but the flag came up that time to keep the match level.
“One game at a time,” Garcia said. We are advancing, and hopefully we can play better.”