By EDWARD SEVERN, Staff Writer
LOS FRESNOS — A superb first-half strike from Brownsville Hanna Golden Eagles senior Sebastian Gonzalez gave his side the three points in a 1-0 District 32-6A victory against the Los Fresnos Falcons on Tuesday night.
“We fought well,” Gonzalez said. “It brings another victory home and puts us one step closer to the district title.”
The goal came on a counterattack. Junior Luis Cervantes took a long ball down well and played a left-footed pass into the path of Gonzalez.
Gonzalez still had work to do and nutmegged his defender on the left side of the pitch. The skill provided Gonzalez space in the box, and the playmaker opted for power and smashed it by the keeper at his near post.
“It was a beautiful shot,” Gonzalez said.
Los Fresnos responded strongly after conceding and came close to scoring before the break, but the Falcons did not find the magical touch.
Coming out of the halftime break, it was the Falcons again on the front foot. Eagles senior Raul Lopez saved a well-struck shot to keep his side in front.
Hanna continued to look dangerous on the counter and could have extended its lead when Sergio Gomez’s first-time shot was saved by the Falcons’ keeper following a low cross from winger Bryan Delgadillo.
“We played way better than Friday,” Hanna coach Reyes Prado said. “We had a sloppy game against Weslaco, but we played our game against a better team, a playoff team. We recovered the ball, attacked with numbers and defensively we were solid tonight.”
The win keeps the Eagles in the fight for the District 32-6A title. The loss all but cements the fourth seed for the Falcons.
“The team played a good game and created a lot of chances,” Falcons coach Michael Miller said. “In soccer the margins are fine and we were not clinical enough in front of the net. Their goalie is great, their defense is good and we could not get that goal.”
Miller said the focus for his team now shifts to the playoffs, getting healthy and giving some game time to players against Harlingen South on Friday.