HARLINGEN — Class 6A girls soccer teams from the Valley chase playoff glory as District 31-6A and District 32-6A collide for a spot in the area round this week in the bi-district round of the UIL playoffs.

Harlingen High has been knocked out in the second round the last four playoffs. The District 32-6A champs have had their eye on making it past the second round all season, District 32-6A’s top goal scorer Naeori Resendez said after beating Los Fresnos for the district championship before Spring Break.

First-year head coach Jose Galvan, and the Cardinals are not overlooking Edinburg North.

“Our mentality is to go as far as we can in the playoffs, but taking it game by game,” Galvan said. “In order for us to go far, we need to have a good game plan, adapt to the circumstances of the game and capitalize our opportunities.”

The Cardinals won the District 32-6A without losing a match and dropping a single point in Galvan’s first season at Harlingen High. Galvan was an assistant for seven years at Harlingen South.

“I’m very happy with the team’s performance, both collectively and individually,” Galvan said. “The girls adapted to my soccer philosophy very quick and trusted the process. Now it’s time to implement it in the playoffs.”

Harlingen High allowed only three goals in district and finished with four of the top eight goal scorers in the district. Resendez beat out Los Fresnos’ Madyson Harris by one goal. Resendez finished with 17, Harris 16.

Harlingen High takes on Edinburg North at 7 p.m. Friday at Harlingen High. Los Fresnos, the runner-up in District 32-6A, meets La Joya at 7 p.m. Friday at Mercedes High School.

La Joya or Los Fresnos are likely to play San Antonio Taft, one of the best teams in the state, in the area round. The Falcons and Cardinals lost to Taft during the tournament season.

“La Joya is a good team,” Los Fresnos head coach Juan Diego Luna said. “They are tough, their district was very close … we played two or three teams from that district and they were not easy opponents. They gave us a good game, so we are expecting that from La Joya. If we can get past this first round we have a chance to compete against future opponents.”

Edinburg Economedes won the District 31-6A title with stout defending. The Jaguars surrendered only five goals in district.

The Jaguars travel to Weslaco High to face the Panthers at 7 p.m. Friday. The Panthers return to the playoffs for the first time since 2014. They are going to have to contain the joint top scorer in District 31-6A, Edinburg Economedes’ Jaqueline Maldonado.

The Panthers defeated the Jaguars 2-1 in non-district.

Maldonado and Edinburg High’s Amily Rodriguez finished with 13 goals. The Bobcats finished second in District 31-6A and are set to travel to the port of side of Brownsville to face the Rivera Raiders at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Brownsville Rivera’s Alondra Villarreal finished nine times this season. The Raiders beat the Bobcats in non-district 1-0.

LA JOYA — After every strikeout, La Joya High ace Arlette Hernandez celebrates by subtly shooting an imaginary bow-and-arrow.

Hernandez was running out of imaginary arrows after striking out 15 PSJA High batters as the Coyotes beat the Bears 3-1 on Tuesday night in an early battle of District 31-6A title contenders at La Joya High School.

“I have been doing it since my freshman year,” Hernandez said. “It gives me motivation.”

PSJA High put pressure on Hernandez during the top of the sixth by loading the bases. A mishandled pitch allowed one runner to score, but Hernandez settled down and struck out the next two batters to end the inning.

“I think I did pretty well out here,” she said. “Just supporting my girls defensively and offensively. We all supported each other this game.”

Being in a tight spot like the sixth inning does not faze Hernandez, La Joya head coach Carlos Rodriguez said.

“She just has that same mindset on every pitch,” Rodriguez said. “The girls, they back her up 100%, she is a really good team player.”

Coyotes shortstop Janelly Rodriguez ended the game with a 6-3 double play in the seventh.

La Joya High scored all of its runs in the third inning. Jewelisa Veloz started things in the inning with a single, going 2-for-2 on the night. Veloz scored on a fielder’s choice, a walk scored the next run and Rodriguez’s sacrifice fly drove in the third run.

PSJA High pitcher Ari Hernandez had a solid night in the circle, finishing with five strikeouts. The Bears’ defense also made some great plays. Well-hit balls in the outfield were tracked down and the infield made some nice throws on hard-hit balls.

“Give them credit, they played well — they really did,” Rodriguez said. “They matched up with us, and I think we are pretty decent.”

Rodriguez said the next game between the two should be tight as well.

Hernandez cruised in the early innings. In the third and fifth, the Coyotes’ ace struck out the side. La Joya High had chances to score runs in the bottom of the second but left runners in scoring position.

La Joya High returns to action against Edinburg High at 7 p.m. Friday at Edinburg High, and PSJA High takes on Edinburg North at 7 p.m. Friday at home.

EDINBURG — The RGV FC Toros and Oakland Roots shared the points on a cold Sunday night at H-E-B Park.

The match finished 1-1 courtesy of a 14th-minute finish from Jonathan Ricketts, and an 82nd-minute strike from Johnny Rodriguez.

The Roots could have stole all of the points, but the crossbar saved the day. The Toros also had chances to either put the game away when up for most of the match, as well as late to win it, but the final product was lacking for a front line that worked hard and created plenty of scoring opportunities.

“We created a lot of good chances, clear chances,” Toros head coach Wilmer Cabrera said. “We need to have more faith, and also just to connect — find the ball. I understand it is a process, hopefully we do not stay in the process longer. We need to win at home, and to put the ball in the net.”

A Toros mistake in the 82nd minute allowed Roots fullback Edgardo Rito to pick up the ball in a deadly position behind the RGV FC’s right flank. Rito played a low cross for Rodriguez. The second half sub beat Tyler Deric to level the match.

Cabrera said the changes made by the Roots gave them some momentum, but said his team had chances to finish the match, but could not find the back of the net.

“It is sad that we lost another two points at home,” Cabrera said. “But I do not want the players to be too disappointed. They have been working well, pushing and trying their best. It is just a matter of getting all the pieces with a little more consistency.”

Cabrera was happy about the return of veterans Juan Cabezas and Wahab Ackwei returning to the side after missing the opener. The Toros featured plenty of youth in their first outing.

Ricketts put the Toros ahead following a set piece in the 14th minute. Frank Nodarse’s scuffed shot was redirected in goal by Ricketts. The right back nearly doubled the Toros advantage minutes later, but his left-footed shot was just over the crossbar.

The Toros (0-0-2) return to action against Monterey Bay (1-1-0) at 7 p.m. Friday at H-E-B Park.

SAN BENITO — The San Benito Greyhounds are ready for the target on their backs in one of the most competitive softball districts in the state, District 32-6A.

The Greyhounds picked up their 21st victory of the season and their first in district by defeating the Brownsville Hanna Eagles 15-0 after four innings Thursday at San Benito High School.

“We are playing well right now,” San Benito head coach Elias Martinez said. “We are playing consistently, I feel pretty good about where we are right now. Starting off 1-0 in our district is big because it is such a tough district.”

The Greyhounds put the game away in the fourth inning after entering the bottom of the fourth needing only one run. San Benito picked up nine runs in the bottom of the third to make it 14-0.

San Benito sophomore JoJo Montes started the scoring during the third inning with a home run to make it 7-0. It was the first really clean contact the Greyhounds had in the game.

“I was just looking to get on base, score a few runs and set the tone,” Montes said.

Greyhounds second baseman and leadoff hitter Bethany Aguilar drove in two runs to make it 9-0. Senior Emily Delgado continued the run by ripping a shot over the left-field wall with a little help from the 23 mph winds to make it 12-0.

Delgado also pitched four innings, striking out eight and only allowing one hit.

“We are proving that we are a strong team,” Delgado said. “We are looking to go far.”

Brownsville Hanna (8-12, 0-1) came into the contest winners of six of their last seven games. The Eagles threatened to make a game out of it in the third inning.

Eagles pitcher Jysiam Acosta and the defense did not give up a run against the top part of the Greyhounds’ lineup during the bottom of second. Brownsville Hanna loaded the bases after making it out of the second unscathed, but Delgado threw three straight strikes to end the inning.

San Benito scored most of the five runs in the first because of errors. First baseman Kylie Sanchez drove in two runs that were not assisted by errors.

No district has more representation in the latest Texas Girls Coaches Association State Softball Poll than District 32-6A. Three teams were in the poll that came out March 13: San Benito is second, Los Fresnos is 11 and Brownsville Rivera is at 21.

The Greyhounds performed well during the tournament season, Martinez said. San Benito went undefeated in the Calallen tournament, beat up on some schools from Central and North Texas and also have wins against Santa Gertrudis, Lyford and Bishop, some of the best sub-5A teams in South Texas.

The Greyhounds have held the No. 2 spot for nearly a month.

“In my opinion, I think it is rightfully deserved,” Martinez said about the Greyhounds’ ranking. “Of course, being ranked that high puts a target on our back. We have always said, if it is going to be done in softball, it is going to be done by San Benito.”

Weslaco High defeated Harlingen High in a wild contest in Harlingen. The wind was helping the ball fly out the park as the Panthers came out on top 21-19 in an eight-inning thriller.

Los Fresnos picked up an impressive 12-0 win over Brownsville Rivera. The Falcons might have knocked the Raiders out of the state rankings, but they need to be on guard against defending district champ Weslaco High at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Weslaco High.

Harlingen High and Brownsville Hanna meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Brownsville. San Benito and Brownsville Rivera also play at 6:30 p.m., but in San Benito.

PHARR — Only Corpus Christi Flour Bluff has beaten Sharyland Pioneer this season.

The Diamondbacks (17-1-1, 7-0) continued to cruise in District 31-5A with a 14-2 win over PSJA Southwest on Wednesday at Southwest High School in Pharr.

Sharyland Pioneer has only had one head coach in the program’s history. Orlando Garcia is in his ninth year in charge of the Diamondbacks. Garcia said it is the best start to the season in those nine years.

“I tell the girls, no matter who we play, top of the district or bottom of the district, we want to come out with the same intensity and be able to hit any type of pitcher,” Garcia said. “The girls did that today. The first group got in there and did what they had to do.”

The Diamondbacks took care of business Wednesday against one of the bottom teams in the district. PSJA North is the only team in the district so far that has not been beaten by more than 10 runs against Sharyland Pioneer, losing 11-7.

Sharyland Pioneer still has to play Edinburg Vela and Sharyland High in the first round before running it back in the second round of 10-team District 31-5A. The Diamondbacks have won the past two district championships. A third straight is in the cards, as well as a deep run in the playoffs.

“We want to exceed what we have done in the past,” Garcia said. “Hopefully the tournaments we have played prepared us for that. The way the girls have been playing, hopefully we can do that and make a good. In the interim, we have one game at a time in district.”

It was a dominant performance Wednesday that ended in five innings. The Diamondbacks only needed three of them, going up 13-0 after their team’s third at bat. Javelinas picked up a couple of runs in the fourth courtesy of Briana Snell and Faith Salinas.

Winning pitcher Reaghan Staehely hit a two-run home run in the third. Fellow seniors Alondra Rodriguez and Karisa Lopez both drove in two runs during the eight-run third inning.

“We are on fire,” Staehely said. “We are doing great. We really jelled during our tournament season. We all know our strengths, and we all use them to the best of our ability.”

The Javelinas had a great second inning defensively. Two terrific catches deep in the outfield helped them escape the second without surrendering a run, but they did not capitalize during the bottom half of the inning.

Every Javelinas batter grounded out to Staehely in the second. The senior pitcher did not give up a hit in two innings in the circle. A strikeout and two routine defensive plays helped the Diamondbacks quickly end the bottom the first.

Sharyland Pioneer scored five runs in the first. The Diamondbacks took advantage of the Javelinas not covering third on pitches missed by the catcher to move runners into scoring position. Rodriguez started the game by driving a shot off the wall, but could have added more in her second at-bat in the inning. Rodriguez hit a soft line drive into a double play.

Rodriguez, a catcher, and Staehely praised the defensive effort by the team this season.

“We are just coming together,” Rodriguez said. “Our defense has been together since our freshman year. We have a really strong defense. We all rely on each other and have trust.”

The Diamondbacks face Edinburg Vela at 11 a.m. Friday at Sharyland Pioneer. PSJA Southwest returns to action against PSJA Memorial at 11 a.m. Friday at PSJA Memorial.

HARLINGEN — Harlingen South’s offense woke up during the bottom of the fourth inning against Brownsville Lopez.

The Hawks batted around the lineup to take a 10-5 lead after entering the bottom half of the fourth down 5-2. Harlingen South went on to win 15-5 after five innings to stay unbeaten in District 32-5A.

“I challenged the guys going into that inning,” Harlingen South head coach Bryan Aughney said. “I thought David (Castillo) made some good pitches. We brought him out with bases loaded, gives up a Texas leaguer, and gets out of the inning only giving up two runs — that was a tough situation. We challenged the hitters to come back, we have been scoring runs throughout the year, and we just had to get back to doing what we do.”

Sophomore Josh Ruiz shut down the Lobos after coming into relieve Castillo, the winning pitcher. A.J. Serna drove in two in the top of the fifth as the Hawks secured the 10-run rule.

“Any district win we are going to be pleased with,” Aughney said. “Took us a little while to get things going. We struggled early to throw strikes on the mound. I think the five runs we gave up, they all got on due to a walk or hit by pitch. It comes back to what we preach to these guys, strikes win. I think we took advantage of some free passes and got some big hits.”

The Lobos extended their lead in the fourth. Ruben Ramirez and Ivan Cantu knocked in two runs as the skies began to clear after a constant rain and mist pelted the ball players on the diamond.

Harlingen South scored its first two runs in the first, with sophomore Daniel Lopez driving them in with a single.

Brownsville Lopez jumped on Harlingen South in the first. The Lobos played great in the rain. Mando San Miguel, Hector Arellano and Jaime Quintero each drove in a run to give Lopez an early advantage at South.

The Hawks are now 5-0 in District 32-5A. The Lobos fall to 2-3 in district play. Harlingen South and Brownsville Lopez will meet for the second game at 7 p.m. Thursday at Brownsville Lopez High School.

BROWNSVILLE — Brownsville Lopez sophomore Jenny Shank drove in four runs, including a three-run home run to help power the Lobos past the Harlingen South Hawks 8-3.

Shank relieved Arianna Lezama, the winning pitcher, in the sixth inning to stop a comeback attempt by the Hawks. Shank and Lezama padded the Lobos lead in the bottom of the sixth with RBIs as Brownsville Lopez continues an impressive start to the District 32-5A season.

“Our hitters came out today,” Brownsville Lopez head coach Jesse Martinez said. “You saw the difference … that it was what we normally do, but teams are getting ready. Everybody is playing hard, and everybody we have faced have played us well. That is what we are expecting from folks.”

Martinez praised his defensive effort tonight, and the effort throughout the start of the district season. The Lobos are currently 6-1 in district, while Harlingen South drops to 4-3.

“We are on a good roll,” Martinez said. “Our defense has pulled us through the last couple of games. Our heavy hitters have been in a slump here and there, but the bottom of our lineup is coming through and our defense is coming through.”

Harlingen South cut the Brownsville Lopez lead in half in the top of the fifth inning. The top of the lineup gave Lezama some problems. Hawks pitch Lexi Sandoval drove in two runs with a double to make it 6-3.

Shank made it 6-0 with a three-run shot to right center. Shank went behind in the count after just two pitches, but delivered. Lobos left fielder Chalene Granado also battled off an 0-2 count to drive in a run with a double. It was a four-run bottom of the second for Brownsville Lopez.

Lezama opened the scoring by driving in two runs in the bottom of the first to give herself a lead while in the circle.

“My team backs me up,” Lezama said. “I think this helps up boost our morale, and have more pride to what we are fighting for. We cannot take anyone for granted.”

Harlingen South returns to action at 11 a.m. Wednesday against Donna High at Harlingen South High School.

Brownsville Lopez takes on Brownsville Porter at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Brownsville Porter High School.

EDINBURG — RGV FC Toros winger Ricky Ruiz curled in a left-footed strike in first half stoppage time to help his team grab a point in the home opener with a 1-1 finish against the Las Vegas Lights.

Ruiz’s strike canceled out a Toros own goal that silenced the crowd at H-E-B Park after only five minutes. Both sides chased the winner in the second half, but could not find the breakthrough as the match finished in a draw.

“If you want to win, you have to be more effective,” Toros head coach Wilmer Cabrera said after the match. “That is something we need to work on. Obviously, it is the first game of the season. The first shot on goal for us was a goal. That was a great goal, and we need to improve on that.

Red cards by Toros defender Erik Pimentel and Lights midfielder Anwar Ben Rhouma Torres in second half stoppage time, and youngsters making their debut, was the last bit of action in a highly contentious match with a packed crowd at H-E-B Park.

Ruiz could have put the Toros ahead early in the second half. A low cross found Ruiz unmarked in the box, but he could not finish the golden opportunity. RGV FC looked the better side early in the second half after a tough first half against an energetic Lights side.

Ruiz’s goal came in the final minute of first half stoppage time. The winger picked up the ball on the right wing outside of the box. Ruiz beat his man and curled a beauty with his left that beat Lights keeper Alan Diaz.

The Lights looked strong in the first half, and probably deserved the goal even though they did not finish the chance themselves. Las Vegas winger Andrew Carleton caused the Toros problems as the Lights mounted pressure on the Toros.

Throughout the first half they were very physical,” Cabrera said. “We were not physical, at half time, we told them that we need to be physical, and that we need to be stronger.”

Cabrera also said the team needed to win more 50-50 challenges and have more quality on the ball.

Toros midfielder Taylor Davila was credited with the Lights’ goal after a clearance struck the midfielder in the back to beat RGV FC keeper Tyler Deric.

The Toros return to action at 7 p.m. Sunday against the Oakland Roots at H-E-B Park.

“It was good tonight,” Ruiz said after the match about Sunday night’s crowd. “I saw that they were all into the game. We built off their energy sometimes on the counterattack, they were loud enough and that gave us an extra push. This was the first game, so the fitness level is not going to be there in general, but they did help push us in my opinion. We hope that they keep coming out and that we reward them with the results that they deserve, and the club deserves.”

HARLINGEN — Harlingen High did not need to win Friday to secure a District 32-6A championship.

They did anyway, defeating the Los Fresnos Falcons 4-1 to win the District 32-6A title in front of the home crowd at Harlingen High School.

“I respect Los Fresnos, their staff, their players, and they have a great program over there,” Harlingen High head coach Jose Galvan said. “My girls fought from the very first second to the last one, and I am really proud of them. They deserved this, now it is crunch time with the playoffs coming up.”

Galvan is hoping for the goals do not dry up in the playoffs after putting four past one of the best teams in the Valley.

“It is great to have my forwards on the scoresheets,” Galvan said. “Hopefully we can have more goals in the playoffs.”

Goals from Naeori Resendez, Mary Catherine Lyssy, Brianna Leal and Rosa Zapata lifted the Cardinals. Resendez scored the final goal for the Cardinals in the second half and finished as the top scorer in the district.

“I felt like I can do better,” Resendez said. “But I am still proud to assist and score. Overall, I am proud we were able to pull together. We worked really hard to become undefeated district champions.”

Zapata opened the scoring after combining brilliantly with Resendez. District 32-6A’s top scorer played a beautiful ball behind the defender to free up Zapata. The senior forward easily beat the keeper with her left foot to fire the Cardinals ahead midway through the first half.

A foul on the outside of the box set up the Cardinals’ second goal of the match, and ultimately the decider. Leal stepped up to the take free kick with her left foot, placing her shot over the keeper and into the back of the net.

Los Fresnos did make things interesting with a goal, but Lyssy and Resendez made sure the Falcons would not have a late comeback attempt.

The teams finish District 32-6A as first and second for the second straight season. The Falcons’ only losses in district came at the hands of the Cardinals.

Brownsville Rivera finishes the season as the third seed in the district, and Weslaco High finishes as the fourth seed with the playoffs coming after Spring Break.

BROWNSVILLE — Brownsville Rivera head volleyball coach Mary Elizabeth Guerra told her daughter, Richelle Guerra, about all of her adventures playing volleyball in college at TSC and UTPA.

Richelle Guerra, The Brownsville Herald’s libero of the year and All-Valley selection, grew up wanting to follow in her mother’s footsteps and took the biggest step toward accomplishing that dream by signing with Texas Lutheran University on Thursday at Brownsville Rivera High School.

“I have been working on this since Day 1,” Richelle Guerra said. “My parents had been working with me since I was 3. This has just been a non-stop thing I have been working towards.”

Mary Guerra never pushed her daughter into playing the sport, letting her play whatever sport she wanted to play, the coach said.

“Luckily for us, her love was volleyball,” she said. “We are so happy for her because she got to the next level. That was always her goal, even when she was little. She is not very tall and there are a lot of good defenders out there, so I knew it was going to be tough.”

The libero had a terrific career as a Raiders player with her mother as coach and father, Richard Guerra, as assistant coach. The standout finished with 2,431 digs during her four-year career and won many superlatives as one of the best liberos not just in the Brownsville area, but in the Rio Grande Valley.

“Thank God she found the school that she wanted to go to, and that also wanted her,” Mary Guerra said.

When the Brownsville Rivera standout heads to Seguin, she is set to stay in her center defensive position instead of having to move to the right or left side of the back row. TLU is losing multiple members of the back row.

The opportunity for playing time in a program coming off a Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference championship in NCAA’s Division III and a low student-to-teacher ratio in the classroom sealed the deal for the senior libero.

“I think it is the perfect school for her,” her mother said. “It has everything she needs. We got very lucky to find it.”

Guerra was grateful for her time at Brownsville Rivera, especially her teammates and the program that helped achieve this goal with her, she said. Guerra also thanked former coach Lester Shears for helping her become the player she is today.

The senior libero is currently playing on the RGV Venom 18s team that is set to compete in the 2023 18s National Championship in late April in Columbus, Ohio.