By EDWARD SEVERN, Staff Writer
LOS FRESNOS — The Brownsville Hanna Lady Eagles are playoff-bound after a 1-0 extra-time victory against the Los Fresnos Lady Falcons in a District 32-6A meeting Tuesday night.
“I am so proud of the girls,” Hanna coach Eliseo Guzman said. “The girls have been fighting all season, and we have dealt with a lot. I am so happy.”
The goal came from Ana Barragan following a free kick during the second half of extra time. With her back to the goal, Barragan unleashed a strike into an open net.
“I was surprised it went in,” she said. “We have not made the playoffs in the last two years, so we are really excited to make it.”
Neither side found a breakthrough during the first half. The Lady Falcons looked the likelier side to find the back of the net but did not turn their first-half chances into goal-scoring opportunities.
The Lady Eagles’ defense looked shaky at the beginning of the match but settled well and defended strong to see out the half with scoreline still level.
“It was a tough game,” Lady Falcons coach Juan Luna said. “Hanna is the only team to score on us in district. They have a talent at every level. It is a good experience for the girls, it makes us better for the playoffs. At the end of the day, this game will help us in the long run.”
The Lady Falcons continued their assault on the stout Lady Eagles defense during the second half and could have gone in front, but the crossbar came to Hanna’s rescue.
Nothing separated the sides after 80 minutes.
“We all work together,” Lady Eagles defender Aliyah Castillo said. “We have gotten stronger throughout the season, and I am really proud of everybody right now because they did their job.”