By EDWARD SEVERN, Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — The Harlingen High Cardinals wrapped up their non-district season with a 0-0 draw at home against the Brownsville St. Joseph Bloodhounds.
“I think we did good,” Harlingen High coach Joseph Johnson said. “We were just coming out of a tournament, so we sat a bunch of guys. We had some youngsters in there, a couple of freshmen. It was good to see them out there against a tough St. Joe’s team.
“Glad we came out injury free. Always love a win, but I will take a tie.”
Both teams jostled in the midfield early, but neither side was able to establish its dominance there. The Cardinals looked more likely to score early in the first half. A few good runs in the box did not yield any solid chances.
After some shaky moments in the back, Harlingen High had its best opportunity, but forward Chris Cantu did not find the back of the net from inside the box. It also nearly got on the board during the final two minutes from a corner. The ball was headed goal-bound but cleared by an outfield player well short of the empty goal.
Cardinals senior Joseph Garza had a really good chance with seconds left in the half after he dropped his shoulder to beat his man. With the goal gaping to the keeper’s right, Garza’s on-target shot was blocked by a Bloodhounds defender.
“We had some chances in the first half, but we couldn’t finish,” Harlingen High sweeper Derick Hernandez said. “We were playing good without subs, and we are going to give it our all on Tuesday in our first district match.”
During the second half, Harlingen High continued with its goal aspirations. A long free kick from barely inside the St. Joseph half struck the crossbar.
The Bloodhounds’ best chances came on the counter, but Hernandez and fellow Cardinals defender Oscar Martinez routinely cleaned up most of the counters.
St. Joseph had a glorious chance halfway through the second half when forward Javi Garcia was played in, but the backline got back well to block the shot and second-chance opportunities.
“We feel really good,” the Bloodhounds’ Santiago Viduarri said. “We should have probably lost because we are a smaller school, so we are happy with our performance.”
The Bloodhounds currently sit first in their district. This game was to keep the blood flowing before they return to district play at the end of the month.
Harlingen High’s attacking players looked lively but lacked that final touch at times. Carlos Marchand and Jerry Martinez found space but did not create that golden moment.
They were often found by Ethan Hamby in the middle. Joshua Lopez also played well in the midfield. He sat in front of his defense and picked out a good pass at times.
The Cardinals will travel to face Brownsville Rivera next Tuesday for both team’s first game this season in District 32-6A.