HIDALGO — Valley View’s Diego Ontiveros had multiple opportunities to find paydirt during regulation. From shots sailing wide to not letting the ball get away before he could shoot, he was unable to convert.
He didn’t let it affect him, however.
With the game on the line, Ontiveros lined up for the go-ahead penalty kick. The senior midfielder delivered a strike past PSJA Memorial’s goalkeeper to secure a 5-3 shootout victory over the Wolverines in a District 31-5A contest Tuesday at Tiger Stadium in Hidalgo.
“Missing shots is normal in soccer,” Ontiveros said. “You’re going to miss shots, but you can’t put your head down. I always try to keep my mind clear. A clear mind is key, especially during penalties. I always maintain calm from the beginning of the game to the end, no matter what. I knew it was going to be the difference in the game. Thanks to God, I was able to do it.”
The Tigers didn’t waste any time tying the game during the second half, with senior forward Ever Arredondo crossing a ball into the box on a set piece from 38 yards out.
The pass connected with a wide-open Diego Macias, who tapped in the game-tying goal two minutes in.
Valley View nearly netted the go-ahead goal with five minutes remaining when junior forward Peter Yanez outran his defender and delivered a strike down the middle, but the ball was corralled by Wolverines goalkeeper Omar Garcia, keeping the game 1-1 and sending it into penalties.
The Wolverines were unable to convert two of their first four penalty attempts, setting up the Tigers for the go-ahead goal with Ontiveros netting the game-winner.
“We knew beforehand what we were coming into,” Valley View assistant coach Damian Magallan said. “ We knew this PSJA Memorial team was really good. We have seen them many times in previous years. These kids have worked really hard. We told them early on not to lose their head. If we did that, we weren’t going to be able to come out. The kids responded well and they delivered it on the field with this game won.”
The shootout victory moves Valley View to 1-0-1 on the year, sitting in fourth place in the district with five points earned. They’ll take on PSJA Southwest (2-0-0), who is tied for first with McAllen High and McAllen Memorial, at 8 p.m. Friday at PSJA Southwest.
The Wolverines drop to 0-0-2, with both their opening district contests ending in penalty kicks, including one victory and one loss. They host the McAllen Rowe Warriors (1-1-0) at 8 p.m. Friday.
McALLEN MEMORIAL 3, EDINBURG VELA 1
At Edinburg, the Mustangs scored twice during the second half and kept the Sabercats off the board to improve to 2-0-0 in district play.
Vincent Honrubia netted his fourth goal of the year during the win, scoring a hat trick for McAllen Memorial during its district opener. He leads the district in scoring through two games.
The Mustangs hit the road for a match between unbeatens at 8 p.m. Friday, taking on McAllen High at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium.
McALLEN HIGH 5, PSJA NORTH 0
At Pharr, the Bulldogs continued their hot offensive start, netting five goals to bring their total to eight through two games.
Senior striker Vicente Alvarez scored twice during the win, with Aron Ramirez, Gabriel Rodriguez and Gael Rodriguez each netting one.
Alvarez and Ramirez have scored five of the team’s eight goals this season.
McAllen High (2-0-0) hosts city rival McAllen Memorial (2-0-0) at 8 p.m. Friday at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium.
PSJA SOUTHWEST 1, SHARYLAND HIGH 0
At Mission, Yahir Pena netted the go-ahead goal during the second half to help the Javelinas improve to 2-0-0 in district play.
Pena, the district’s reigning Offensive Player of the Year, has netted a goal during each of PSJA Southwest’s two wins to start the year.
The Javelinas return home at 8 p.m. Friday for a clash against the Valley View Tigers (1-0-1).
McALLEN ROWE 6, SHARYLAND PIONEER 0
At McAllen, the Warriors poured it on during the second half, scoring all six goals to bounce back after a 3-1 loss to open the year.
Five different players scored for the Warriors, including Carlos Rangel, who led the team in goals last season.
The Warriors (1-1-0) travel to PSJA Memorial Stadium at 8 p.m. Friday to take on the Wolverines.
District 32-5A
DONNA NORTH 2, DONNA HIGH 1
At Donna, David Reyes scored the go-ahead goal on a penalty kick during the second half to lead the Chiefs past city rival Donna High.
The goal marked the second of the night for Reyes, scoring his first during the opening period.
Donna North (1-0-1) hosts Edcouch-Elsa (1-1-0) at 5:30 p.m. Friday.
EDCOUCH-ELSA 4, BROWNSVILLE PACE 1
At Edcouch, the Yellow Jackets scored three times during the first half and didn’t look back en route to their first district win of the year.
Jose Perez found paydirt twice for Edcouch-Elsa, with Elijah Cantu and Axel Lopez each scoring once.
BROWNSVILLE LOPEZ 4, WESLACO EAST 0
At Brownsville, the Lobos scored four goals for a second straight game to improve to 2-0-0 in District 32-5A and take an early lead for first.
Four different players scored for the Lobos, including Diego Guerra and Chacho Zuniga, who also netted goals during the district opener.
The Lobos are the last undefeated team remaining in the district, sitting atop the standings with six points after two games. They’ll take on the Brownsville Veterans Chargers at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Brownsville Veterans.
HARLINGEN SOUTH 2, MERCEDES 0
At Harlingen, the Hawks picked up their first win of the season behind goals from Issac Garza and Jair Nava following a penalty shootout loss against Brownsville Veterans to open the year.
Harlingen South’s two goals marked the first scores of the early season for the Hawks, ending their first game 0-0.
The Hawks (1-0-1) travel to Brownsville at 5:30 p.m. Friday to take on the Brownsville Pace Vikings (0-1-1).
BROWNSVILLE PORTER 2, BROWNSVILLE VETERANS 0
At Brownsville, the Cowboys shook off their district opening loss against Weslaco East with a convincing 2-0 victory over the Chargers at home.
Brownsville Porter’s victory was fueled by second-half goals from Martin Gonzalez and Alessandro Lara, two of the team’s top returners from last season’s regional finalist squad.
The Cowboys (1-1-0) hit the road at 5:30 p.m. Friday for a contest against the Mercedes Tigers (1-1-0) at Tiger Stadium in Mercedes.