NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER

McALLEN — The McAllen Rowe Warriors took lumps and bruises, but none on the scoreboard as they shut out PSJA High 3-0 in area round action Tuesday night.

Both teams were missing key roster pieces prior to kickoff. Rowe was without freshman striker Alexa Garza due to injury, while PSJA was without the talents of junior Maritza Capuchino due to a red card issued during the bi-district round.

“We just stuck together, fought back and became physical, too,” Rowe senior defender Veronica Dougherty said. “It was through the hard work and going to the weight room and all season. It’s all getting stronger, getting faster, getting better.”

The Warriors were dangerous on home turf from the opening kick. Much of their first-half offense was generated by midfield wingers Ilse Zecca and Emily Morin.

Zecca was speedy on the ball early and provided service into the box from the left wing on multiple occasions before finding a breakthrough.

Finally, 12 minutes into the game, sophomore Leann Noriega got on the end of one of those passes. The Warriors, third-place finishers in the ultra-competitive District 30-6A, were off and running.

Before Rowe padded its lead, PSJA High sent balls onto the feet of creative forward Sydney Escobar. She was locked in a tough battle with Rowe’s defenders, namely Dougherty.

Escobar had the Bears’ best scoring chance of the game when she found herself a step behind the Warriors’ back line, but she hit the ball just wide of the post and Rowe keeper Hethyr Moore.

Five minutes later, the Warriors doubled their lead, cashing in on a miscue by Bears freshman keeper Brianna Baez. After the goalie dropped a saved shot from Sabina Sanchez, Zecca got a toe on the ball to squeeze it past Baez and a desperation sprawl from a PSJA defender.

Dougherty, Rowe’s lone senior, said jumping out to leads is ideal compared to letting the game get into tense moments, as it did during Rowe’s 3-2 bi-district win over San Antonio Southwest.

“It takes a huge weight off of your shoulders while you’re playing through the game,” Dougherty said. “I know some teams start to feel frustrated, feel flustered, and then everyone wants to go up and score.”

The rest of the first half was defined more by injuries than anything else. The game was stopped five times due to injuries, including a head-to-head collision on a header in which both players seemed to avoid the worst-case scenario.

Rowe’s midfielders drew contact, but at the cost of some Warriors coming up limping after challenges.

“We have a next-person-up mentality,” Rowe coach John Martinez said. “We had a couple girls go down, and they came in there and did a great job. It wasn’t a drop-off. We knew they were going to be physical, and we knew if we went up on them, they’d be that much more physical. I thought with our talent, we’d be able to get by them.”

Rowe’s Sanchez and PSJA’s goalie ran hard into each other on a loose ball that Baez was trying to keep away from the net. Both players took a while to get up but didn’t miss much time.

At the 15:01 mark of the second half, Sanchez scored her first high school playoff goal to put the game out of reach.

“It feels great, because I get to work with all the other girls,” Sanchez, a freshman, said. “We’re such a young team, but we put in a lot of work, and that’s what makes it work.”

Rowe had chances to widen the margin. Defender Natalia Vela had a trio of thunderous free kicks that were kept out, while Morin almost completed a highlight-reel score late when she controlled the ball through three defenders and hit the post from a severe angle.

The Warriors advance to the regional quarterfinals against a Brownsville Rivera team that came from behind to beat McAllen Memorial 3-2 on Tuesday.

“The feeling you get of wanting to win is what you want,” Noriega said. “We haven’t had this kind of team in a while to get in playoffs. We’re trying so hard together to push each other. We want it. So, of course, we take it serious for each other.”

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Valley’s Best and Mythical Standings for April 4, 2018
Team Standings
Boys – 1, Harlingen High 61.5; 2, Mission High, 53; 3, McAllen Memorial 52.75; 4, Harlingen South, 47; 5, Edinburg Economedes, 46; 6, Sharyland Pioneer, 40.75; 7, PSJA High, 39; 8, La Joya High, 26; 8, Mercedes, 26; 10, McAllen High, 24
Girls – 1, La Joya Palmview, 102.5; 2, Weslaco High, 88; 3, McAllen High, 83.75; 4, Los Fresnos, 40; 4, Harlingen High, 40; 6, Edinburg Economedes, 28; 7, Mission Veterans, 27; 8, McAllen Rowe, 25; 9, Edinburg IDEA Quest, 24; 10, Edcouch-Elsa, 20

Boys
Individual Standings
All Times Fully Automatic
100-meter dash – 1, Jose Garcia, Harlingen High, 10.69; 2, Pedro Luna, Harlingen High, 10.86; 3, Gunnar Henderson, McAllen High, 10.87; 4, Alex Cordova, Mission High, 10.94; 5, Nico Valencia, Los Fresnos, 11,01; 6, Isaac Ambriz, Los Fresnos, 11.02
200-meter dash – 1, Alex Cordova, Mission High, 21.94; 2, Miguel Flores, PSJA High, 22.24; 3, Crestony Martinez, Harlingen South, 22.34; 4, Gunnar Henderson, McAllen High, 22.64; 4, Diego Perez, Sharyland Pioneer, 22.64; 4, Alex Garza, Weslaco High, 22.64; 4, Alexis Gonzalez, La Joya Palmview, 22.64
400-meter dash – 1, Alex Cordova, Mission High, 49.34; 2, Jose Andrade, PSJA High, 49.64; 3, Andrew Casas, PSJA High, 49.94; 4, Cosme Ibarra, Donna High, 50.19; 5, Elias Gutierrez, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 50.28; 6, Max Carmona, Brownsville Veterans, 50.39
800-meter run – 1, Art Benavidez, Harlingen High, 1:57.65; 2, Reyes Rodriguez, La Feria, 1:57.82; 3, Max Carmona, Brownsville Veterans, 1:57.88; 4, Tristan Peña, Edinburg North, 1:57.98; 5, Felix Perez, Mission High, 1:58.44; 6, Paco Rodriguez, McAllen High, 1:59.07
1600-meter run – 1, Cruz Gomez, PSJA Memorial, 4:16.26; 2, Dominic Cavazos, Mercedes, 4:18.71; 3, Trevor Williams, McAllen Memorial, 4:18.99; 4, Evan Williams, McAllen Memorial, 4:22.23; 5, Tristian Peña, Edinburg North, 4:24.81; 6, Everardo Esparza, Progreso, 4:26.19
3200-meter run – 1, Dominic Cavazos, Mercedes, 9:19.61; 2, Cruz Gomez, PSJA Memorial, 9:24.60; 3, Trevor Williams, McAllen Memorial, 9:38.14; 4, Tristian Peña, Edinburg North, 9:38.48; 5, Lupe Reyes, Mercedes, 9:45.17; 6, Everardo Esparza, Progreso, 9:45.63
110-meter hurdles – 1, Sean Skaugen McAllen Memorial, 14.67; 2, Michael Landovazo, Sharyland Pioneer, 14.72; 3, Kyle Marroquin, Edinburg Economedes, 14.74; 4, Nitia Duran, Harlingen South, 15.14; 5, Jonathan Larson, McAllen Memorial, 15.20; 6, Roel Renterria, Harlingen High, 15.33
300-meter hurdles – 1, Roel Renterria, Harlingen High, 38.37; 2, Gunnar Henderson, McAllen High, 38.62; 3, Alex Ayala, Santa Rosa, 39.73; 4, Sean Skaugen, McAllen Memorial, 39.75; 5, Michael Landovazo, Sharyland Pioneer, 39.84; 6, Samuel Mata, Valley View, 40.32
400-meter relay – 1, McAllen Memorial, 43.05; 2, Harlingen High, 43.18; 3, Roma, 43.34; 4, Weslaco East, 43.42; 5, Brownsville Rivera, 43.41; 6, La Joya Palmview, 43.54
800-meter relay – 1, Mission High, 1:29.94; 2, PSJA High, 1:30.14; 3, Brownsville Rivera, 1:30.28; 4, Weslaco High, 1:30.32; 5, La Joya High, 1:30.44; 6, Edinburg Economedes, 1:30.95
1600-meter relay – 1, Sharyland Pioneer, 3:24.84; 2, La Joya High, 3:25.04; 3, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 3:25.23; 4, PSJA North, 3:25.44; 5, Mission High, 3:25.82; 6, Edinburg Economedes, 3:26.89
Field Events
Shot put – 1, Diego Trevino, PSJA Southwest, 59-03.5; 2, Andrew Ott, Harlingen South, 58-05.5; 3, Alex Rodriguez, La Joya High, 57-05.25; 4, Johnny Howell, Sharyland Pioneer, 56-08; 5, Raul Cantu, McAllen High, 53-08; 6, Chase Harrell, Harlingen South, 53-07
Discus – 1, Sky Tatum, Harlingen South, 184-05; 2, Andres Bodden, Brownsville Veterans, 170-04; 3, Benjamin Ruiz, Harlingen South, 166-11; 4, Johnny Howell, Sharyland Pioneer, 164-08; 5, Pablo Zolezzi, Brownsville St. Joseph, 161-04; 6, Rey Salazar, Brownsville Veterans, 160-06;
Long jump – 1, Gustavo Vasquez, Edinburg Economedes, 22-01; 2, Kai Money, Brownsville St. Joseph, 22-0; 3, Pete Segura, Edinburg Economedes, 21-10; 4, Julian Trevino, La Feria, 21-09.25; 5, Abelardo Lopez, Rio Grande City, 21-7; 6, Pedra Luna, 21-06; 6, Ryland Olguin, Edinburg Vela, 21-06
Triple jump – 1, Gustavo Vasquez, Edinburg Economedes, 46-08; 2, Blake Klein, Sharyland High, 44-06.5; 3, Abelardo Lopez, Rio Grande City, 44-00.5; 4, Leo Cantu, Mission Veterans, 43-05; 5, Jose Zarate, Brownsville Veterans, 43-04.4; 6, Marco Guajardo, PSJA High, 43-03.25
High jump – 1, Pete Segura, Edinburg Economedes, 6-05; 2, Adrian Morales, Harlingen South, 6-04; 2, Daniel Ramirez, Harlingen High, 6-04; 2, Caleb Arthur, Mercedes, 6-04; 5, Jonathan Larson, McAllen Memorial, 6-02; 5, Carlos Mercardo, Los Fresnos, 6-02; 5, Parker Barrett, Sharyland Pioneer, 6-02; 5, Noah Treviño, Edinburg Vela, 6-02
Pole Vault – 1, Jon Zapata, Weslaco High, 15-07; 2, Ryland Olguin, Edinburg Vela, 15-03; 3, Marcus Ramirez, Harlingen South, 15-00; 4, Josiah Martinez, McAllen High, 14-06; 5, Nathan Salinas, PSJA North, 13-06; 6, Miguel Frias, Mission High, 14-06 6, Carlos Guerrero, Edcouch-Elsa, 14-00; 6, Derek Carrios, PSJA Memorial, 14-00

Girls
Individual Standings
All Times Fully Automatic
100-meter dash – 1, Mariana Hernandez, La Joya Palmview, 12.24; 2, Luisa Cruz, Los Fresnos, 12.26; 3, Jazmine Martinez, Harlingen High, 12.29; 4, Jacquelina Mora, Brownsville Hanna, 12.52; 5, Daniela Muniz, Rio Grande City, 12.73; 6, Jasmine Flores, Mercedes, 12.74
200-meter dash – 1, Mariana Hernandez, La Joya Palmview, 25.49; 2, Luisa Cruz, Los Fresnos, 25.55; 3, Merary Garza, Grulla, 25.74; 4, Sophia Ramirez, Edinburg Vela, 25.84; 5, Mallory Grannum, Harlingen South, 26.19; 6, Alyssa Gauna, Mission High, 26.24
400-meter dash – 1, Valery Tobias, Edinburg IDEA Quest, 58.61; 2, Yazmine Martinez, Harlingen High, 58.67; 3, Eleanor Arndt, Weslaco High, 59.25; 4, Anna Martinez, McAllen High, 59.84; 5, Aniel Aguero, Brownsville Hanna, 1:00.48; 6, Auden Pineda, Brownsville Hanna, 1:00.64; 6, Karla Chapa, La Joya Palmview, 1:00.64
800-meter run — 1, Bailey Villalon, La Joya Palmview, 2:18.84; 2, Valery Tobias, Edinburg IDEA Quest, 2:21.23; 3, Aaliyah Garza, Weslaco High, 2:21.32; 4, Nyla Vela, Mission Veterans, 2:22.24; 5, Robbie Sue Espericutea, La Villa, 2:23.68; 6, Vanessa Cerda, Edcouch-Elsa, 2:24.20
1600-meter run — 1, Brianna Robles, La Joya Palmview, 5:03.69; 2, Bailey Villalon, La Joya Palmview, 5:18.44; 3, Valeria Diaz, Sharyland High, 5:23.04; 4, Andrea De La Rosa, Brownsville Rivera, 5:25.91; 5, Robbie Sue Espericueta, La Villa, 5:26.39; 6, Dariana Vasquez, La Feria, 5:26.44
3200-meter run — 1, Brianna Robles, La Joya Palmview, 11:10.94; 2, Valeria Diaz, Sharyland High, 11:22.10; 3, Alanah Moreno, McAllen High, 11:42.96; 4, Andrea De La Rosa, 11:46.04; 5, Lizbett Rivera, Progreso, 11:51.64; 6, Tessie Garcia, Weslaco East, 11:51.79
100-meter hurdles — 1, Aniah Chaleff-Reyna, McAllen High, 15.21; 2, Brianna Alex, Los Fresnos, 15.36; 3, Ana Calderon, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 15.74; 4, Kathia Nitsch, McAllen Memorial, 15.79; 5, Zoe Flores, McAllen High, 16.04; 5, Gabriella Solia, Edinburg Vela, 16.04
300-meter hurdles — 1, Jasmyn Tulloch, Harlingen High, 46.51; 2, Aniah Chaleff-Reyna, McAllen High, 46.90; 3, Lisamarie Sanchez, Weslaco High, 47.63; 4, Zoe Flores, McAllen High, 47.65; 5, Brianna Alex, Los Fresnos, 47.78; 6, Caleigh Hausenfluck, Sharyland High, 48.04
400-meter relay — 1, McAllen High, 49.52; 2, La Joya Palmview, 49.94; 3, Weslaco High, 50.16; 4, San Benito, 50.34; 5, Brownsville Hanna, 50.45; 6, Edinburg Economedes, 50.66
800-meter relay — 1, Weslaco High, 1:44.28; 2, La Joya Palmview, 1:44.75; 3, McAllen High, 1:46.51; 4, Los Fresnos, 1:47.34; 5, McAllen Rowe, 1:48.34; 6, Brownsville Hanna, 1:48.60
1600-meter relay — 1, Weslaco High, 4:00.99; 2, Harlingen High, 4:05.42; 3, La Joya Palmview, 4:05.44; 4, Mission Veterans, 4:08.24; 5, Edcouch-Elsa, 4:08.32; 6, McAllen Memorial, 4:10.97
Field Events
Shot put — 1, Brittany Cantu, Edinburg Economedes, 38-04; 2, Charlee Salinas, Mission Veterans, 37-01; 3, Jacqueline Mendoza, McAllen Rowe, 36-02.5; 4, Iesha Garcia, Rio Grande City, 36-09; 5, Mackenzie Contreras, Edcouch-Elsa, 36-08.5; 6, Abigal Flores, Grulla, 36-08
Discus — 1, Abigal Flores, Grulla, 148-03; 2, Brittany Cantu, Edinburg Economedes, 137-05; 3, Ciera Gonzalez, Weslaco High, 137-03; 4, Diana Bustos, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 130-04; 5, Daizy Monie, Sharyland Pioneer, 128-0; 6, Lorena Rios, McAllen Rowe, 126-10
Long Jump — 1, Eleanor Arndt, Weslaco High, 18-05.25; 2, Nichole Mora, Los Fresnos, 17-05; 3, Nichole Mora, Los Fresnos, 17-05; 4, Melody Magee, McAllen High, 17-04; 5, Shana Alvarado, Edcouch-Elsa, 17-01.5; 6, Caleigh Hausenfluck, Sharyland High, 17-00.5
Triple Jump — 1, Jovanni Solis, McAllen Rowe, 37-01.5; 2, Monique Rodriguez, Edinburg Economedes, 36-06; 3, Bryssa Guzman, Weslaco East, 35-09.75; 4, Jackelyn Alaniz, McAllen Rowe, 35-08.5; 5, Elenaor Arndt, Weslaco High, 35-05; 6, Charlize De La Garza, Mission Veterans, 35-03.5
High Jump — 1, Hannah Kelly, McAllen High, 5-06; 2, Valery Tobias, Edinburg IDEA Quest, 5-04; 2, Natalie Martinez, Edinburg High, 5-04; 2, Charlize De La Garza, 5-04; 5, Six tied at 5-02
Pole Vault — 1, Bianca Cardenas, Edcouch-Elsa, 12-06.75, 2, Victoria Barrios, PSJA Memorial, 10-06; 3, Sarah Solis, McAllen High, 10-0; 3, Michelle Ariana, PSJA Memorial, 10-00; 3, Camryn Gloor, Brownsville St. Joseph, 10-00; 4, Four tied at 9-06

NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER

Edcouch-Elsa’s Bianca Cardenas set a new RGV pole vault record with her clearance of 12 feet, 6 3/4 inches at the 91st Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays over the weekend in Austin.

She toppled Harlingen High alum Kelsea David’s record of 12-05, which stood for 13 years.

The Yellow Jackets junior’s jump was the second time she’s set a career-best mark in 2018 and earned her a second-place finish in Section B. She’s a week removed from breaking her own Meet of Champions record with a jump of 12-02 — an inch better than she hit during her sophomore season at the same meet.

The meet in Austin could serve as a precursor to the state meet in about five weeks, but the stage didn’t bother Cardenas over the weekend.

“I wasn’t really nervous. I was more anxious,” Cardenas said. “I was more ready to compete. I had my adrenaline pumping from the beginning. I felt confident, but I try not to be too confident to overwhelm myself. I felt great.”

Thanks to a new tool of the trade, Cardenas said she was able to reach new heights.

“I was originally using a 150 (pounds) and I went to my new pole, which is a 155, 13-06 (feet and inches),” Cardenas said. “That was able to get less bend and helped me get up better.”

On Friday, Brianna Robles of La Joya Palmview was a top-10 finisher in the 1,600-meter run. Her time of 5 minutes, 3.69 seconds was a season-best.

The Rio Grande Valley was well represented in Saturday’s Section 2 boys 3,200 relay. Edinburg Vela’s team of Jeremy Nino, Christopher Hill, Ramsey Moreno and Victor Cordova finished in 8:14.00, good for seventh place. Edcouch-Elsa’s group of Jeremiah De Los Santos, Albino Rodriguez, Jireh De Los Santos and Kristian Martinez finished in 8:24.87 to claim 10th.

McAllen High finished in 11th with Paco Rodriguez, Hunter Herrera, Alexis Velasquez and Carlos Juarez running an 8:26.99.

PSJA Southwest junior Diego Trevino threw 59-03.50 to finish fourth in the shot put — best amongst Valley participants and a personal best.

This week the invitationals and non-district meets will come to an end as Valley athletes compete in their respective district meets.

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NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER

MISSION — The Valley View Tigers were pushed but never in danger during their bi-district matchup against the Donna North Chiefs on Saturday at Sharyland High’s Richard Thompson Stadium. The Tigers had plenty of chances and made good use of them for a 5-3 victory.

Even with a 10:30 a.m. kickoff at a neutral site on a holiday weekend, the Valley View faithful were out in numbers. Fans of both teams made the trip, but the Tigers band and inflatable mascot gave the feel of a home game, minus the blue turf.

Once the action started, the Tigers, who went 16-0 in District 31-5A play, quickly realized the first-round game would not be an easy win.

“It was a good start,” Mario De Los Santo said through an interpreter. “We knew the game was going to be challenging. We know they get the chance in their district to play the Brownsville teams every game. So we knew playing against them would be a taste of the third round, if we get by the second round.”

The teams exchanged goals in the opening 10 minutes.

First, Valley View’s Rogelio Saldivar was in excellent position to capitalize on a rebound that bounced left when Donna North keeper Jose Luis Mares Dorias could only parry De Los Santos’ initial blast.

North wasn’t ready to let Valley View pull away, pushing forward and eventually earning a penalty kick on a mistimed tackle. Eusebio Bazaldua was calm and collected as he scored on a low shot that found a spot in the bottom-right corner of the net past Valley View’s Elian Chavez.

“These kids have experienced these type of games before, where we are behind, and they never give up till the last minute,” Chiefs coach Andres Sanchez said. “Their strategy worked. They attacked us. We knew they were going to come at us. Unfortunately, our defense didn’t have a good day in the first half.”

After the equalizer, Valley View started to showcase the offensive skill that made the Tigers the Valley’s highest scoring boys team on the season.

Bryan Obregon scored from 30 yards on a shot that curved with pace and accuracy past the keeper and into the top corner of the net with 26:26 left in the half.

“It was a complicated game, since Donna North was really prepared for us,” Valley View’s Christopher Flores said through an interpreter. “They pressured really well, so they didn’t leave us those spaces we’re using to having to touch the ball, but we did score on the chances we had.”

Flores came through for the Tigers on the team’s next chance. Ricardo Mata sent a corner kick into the box, and Flores used his height to leap and head the ball into the net for a 3-1 lead.

“When we get possession of the ball, it’s more of our style,” Flores said. “As long as we have the ball and they don’t, we can score. So we try to make things happen with it.”
The last Tigers goal before the half came on a pass from Jorge Amaya to De Los Santos, who celebrated his birthday with a playoff strike off the post and in.

“It’s a good day. I had the motivation to score, because of the day,” De Los Santos said. “Hopefully, we score in the second and third round and beyond.”

North scored minutes before halftime to pull within two goals. The breakaway strike that curved past Chavez was the second of the day for Bazaldua.

The second half was a combination of the Chiefs trying to send offense forward and players on both sides falling victim to cramping and fatigue.

De Los Santos was one of the first to go down in need of assistance, and by the 20-minute mark of the period the referees mandated a quick water break.

For most of the half, the Chiefs couldn’t break the Tigers’ defense.

With 14:43 to play, Donna North’s keeper was called for a penalty while trying to charge a ball heading into the box. Amaya scored from the spot to extend the Valley View lead.

Donna North added a stellar goal off the left foot of Alejandro Flores with 20 seconds remaining.

Valley View advances to face Corpus Christi Calallen in the area round. The Wildcats are coming off a 7-0 win over San Antonio Harlandale in their bi-district game.

“It’s good for us to get this opportunity in order to think ahead,” Tigers coach Damian Mallagan said through an interpreter. “Our team, as well, has worked hard. We knew what we had to do.”

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RGV HS SOCCER BOYS PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Wednesday, March 28
Class 6A
Laredo United 2, McAllen Memorial 1
La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 7, Del Rio 0

Thursday, March 29
Class 6A
PSJA Southwest 4, Harlingen High 0
Brownsville Rivera 5, Edinburg High 3
Edinburg Economedes 4, Los Fresnos 3, PKs
Laredo LBJ 2, Mission High 0
San Antonio Southwest 4, La Joya High 3, PKs
Class 5A
Brownsville Veterans 4, Sharyland Pioneer 0
Brownsville Lopez 4, Laredo Martin 0
Class 4A
Hidalgo 5, Port Isabel 1
Zapata 5, La Feria 0
Grulla 6, Rio Hondo 2

Friday, March 30
Class 5A Bi-District
Brownsville Porter 2, Sharyland High 0

Saturday, March 31
Class 6A
Brownsville Hanna 3, Edinburg North 2, PKs
Class 5A
Valley View 5, Donna North 3
Class 4A
Progreso 7, Raymondville 0

Area round
Tuesday, April 3
Class 6A
La Joya Juarez-Lincoln vs. Edinburg Economedes at La Joya ISD Stadium, 7 p.m.
PSJA Southwest vs. Laredo LBJ, TBA
Brownsville Rivera vs San Antonio Southwest at Cabaniss Field, 8 p.m.
Laredo United vs. Brownsville Hanna at Roma, 8 p.m.

Class 5A

Brownsville Porter vs. Corpus Christi Veterans at Cabaniss Field, 6 p.m.

Valley View at Calallen, 6 p.m.

Brownsville Veterans vs. Eagle Pass Winn at Laredo’s Krueger Field. 7 p.m.

Brownsville Lopez vs. Corpus Christi Flour Bluff at Calallen, 8 p.m.

Class 4A

Progreso vs. Somerset at Calallen, 4 p.m.
Grulla vs. Corpus Christi London at Kingsville’s MOPAC Field. 7 p.m.
Hidalgo vs La Vernia, TBA
Zapata vs. Pleasanton, TBA

VALLEY HS GIRLS SOCCER PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Bi-district round
Wednesday, March 28
McAllen Memorial 2, South San Antonio 1, PKs

Thursday, March 29
Class 6A
Harlingen High 6, Edinburg Vela 5, OT
McAllen High 9, Laredo United South 1
Harlingen South 1, PSJA Memorial 0
PSJA High 1, Los Fresnos 0
Brownsville Rivera 2, Edinburg North 0
Laredo United 3, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 2
McAllen Rowe 3, San Antonio Southwest 2, PKs
Class 5A
Brownsville Pace 2, Laredo Martin 0
Donna North 1, Roma 0
Sharyland Pioneer 4, Brownsville Porter 2
Class 4A
Edinburg IDEA Quest 3, Port Isabel 2, OT
Hidalgo 3, Lyford 1
Grulla 1, Rio Hondo 0
La Feria 1, Progresso 0

Friday, Saturday
Class 5A
Sharyland High 6, Brownsville Veterans 1

VALLEY HS GIRLS SOCCER BOX SCORES
Friday’s Game
Class 5A bi-district
SHARYLAND HIGH 6
BROWNSVILLE VETERANS 1
Brownsville Veterans 0 1 — 1
Sharyland High 2 4 — 6
SHARYLAND HIGH (6): Xochitl Nguma, Kaitie Watson 3, Caeli Sullivan, Aneli Peña

Area round
Tuesday, April 3
Class 6A
Harlingen South vs. Laredo United at Roma, 6 p.m.
PSJA High at McAllen Rowe, 7 p.m.
McAllen High vs. Harlingen High at Edcouch-Elsa High, 7 p.m.
Brownsville Rivera at McAllen Memorial, 7 p.m.

Class 5A
Sharyland Pioneer at Gregory-Portland, 7:30 p.m.
Corpus Christi Veterans at Sharyland High, 7 p.m.
Donna North vs. San Antonio Harlandale at Laredo’s Shirley Field, 7 p.m.
Brownsville Pace vs. Flour Bluff at Raymondville, 7 p.m.

Class 4A
Grulla vs Kingsville High at MOPAC Field, Kingsville, 5 p.m.

La Feria vs. Somerset at Beeville, 6 p.m.

Edinburg IDEA Quest vs. Pleasanton, TBA
Hidalgo vs. Corpus Christi London, TBA

NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER

MISSION — The Sharyland High Rattlers were on their heels during the first few minutes of their bi-district match against the Brownsville Veterans Chargers on Friday at Richard Thompson Stadium. But the Rattlers shook off any early blemishes to power past the Chargers 6-1.

Sharyland forward Kaitie Watson had a statement performance in the first playoff game of her senior season, posting a hat trick. The striker used strength, breakaway speed and finishing touch to guide the District 31-5A champions through the first round.

“We have a pretty young team. I think the first couple minutes, we were a little nervous,” Watson said. “Everybody was settling. We’re missing a couple starters. After a while, I think they realized they could play, and they settled down. And the rest of the game, we dominated.”

A tense moment near the net in the opening five minutes didn’t produce a shot for the Chargers. Shortly after, Veterans midfielder Ana Karen Garcia attempted a shot that just missed over the crossbar.

The tide turned over the course of the next 10 minutes of play. Long balls to Sharyland forward Watson gave way to more sustained pressure for the home side.

“It made a big difference once we started moving the ball around,” Watson said. “We felt more comfortable, got a little confidence. Then, we started scoring.

As the first period of play progressed, the Rattlers’ fluidity grew on offense, and so did the influence of freshman forward Xochitl Nguma.

Her first shot was high and wide, but then she began to find the target. She was saved once at 12:35, then again on a weaker shot.

Nguma made her mark on the scoresheet with a goal from the edge of the penalty area. Her shot arched over Chargers goalie Sofia Cortez for the first strike of the match at 22:16.

“Being able to pass the ball and keep better possession helped us score,” Nguma said. “When I finally took a shot and it went in, I felt all this weight being lifted off my shoulders. Everyone was tired. We needed a break, and it felt amazing to score the first goal.”

The freshman’s night was cut short when she went down on a tackle that earned Sharyland a penalty kick. She suffered a head injury and was kept out of the game as a precaution.

Watson stepped up to the penalty spot and put the Rattlers ahead two scores — firmly in control of the match.

First-year Sharyland coach Mario Ribera was pleased to see his midfielders and forwards sharing and creating with short passes.

“We liked the passing game. I’m from South America, so I really like short passes,” Ribera said. “When Xochitl (Nguma) got more possession, we started connecting with each other. It’s a privilege to have them. Xochitl and Kaitie have done so much for our program this year. They’re the real thing. They can finish any time up front, and they did it tonight.”

After halftime, the Rattlers continued to be the team in control.

Elise Townsend played an efficient, clean game as the deepest Sharyland defender, keeping the ball moving or stepping in with an interception when Veterans tried for long passes.

Sharyland’s possession turned into a goal five minutes after the break. Watson’s initial blast was saved, but the Chargers had trouble corralling the ball in the box, and the Rattlers’ Caeli Sullivan tapped home a rebound.

A former Monitor All-Area Player of the Year, Watson continued her dangerous runs toward the net, scoring her second and third goals of the night with 24:43 and 15:22 to play, respectively. Her hat-trick goal was another display of skill, as she fit the ball between the arm and body of the Vets keeper.

Sandwiched between those tallies, Brownsville Vets got on the board to break Ana de la Torre’s shutout. Freshman midfielder Camila Trevino sent the ball past Sharyland’s sprawling keeper.

Sharyland added a second penalty-kick goal when Aneli Pena knocked one in with 16 seconds remaining to make the score 6-1.

The Rattlers will play their second home playoff game Tuesday night when the Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial Eagles visit for an area-round battle.

“I think it’s coming full circle. All our hard work is paying off,” Watson said. “We’re finally getting the chances we might have missed early in the season. The whole team is coming together as one, and our chemistry is much better. It’s adding up at the end now.”

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VALLEY HS GIRLS SOCCER PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Bi-district round
Wednesday, March 28
McAllen Memorial 2, South San Antonio 1, PKs
Thursday, March 29
Class 6A
Harlingen High 6, Edinburg Vela 5, OT
McAllen High 9, Laredo United South 1
Harlingen South 1, PSJA Memorial 0
PSJA High 1, Los Fresnos 0
Brownsville Rivera 2, Edinburg North 0
Laredo United 3, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 2
McAllen Rowe 3, San Antonio Southwest 2, PKs
Class 5A
Brownsville Pace 2, Laredo Martin 0
Donna North 1, Roma 0
Sharyland Pioneer 4, Brownsville Porter 2
Class 4A
Edinburg IDEA Quest 3, Port Isabel 2, OT
Hidalgo 3, Lyford 1
Grulla 1, Rio Hondo 0
La Feria 1, Progresso 0

VALLEY HS GIRLS SOCCER BOX SCORES
Thursday’s Games
Class 6A bi-district
McALLEN HIGH 9,
LAREDO UNITED SOUTH 1
Laredo United South – – — 1
McAllen High – – — 9
McALLEN HIGH (9): Ava Alaniz 2, Sophia Soto 2, Mireya Ramirez , Zoe Flores , Serena Cervantes, Westyn Henderson, Chloe Fallek

McALLEN ROWE 3, SAN ANTONIO SOUTHWEST 2, PKs
McAllen Rowe 1 1 — 3
SA Southwest 1 1 — 2
McALLEN ROWE (2): Leann Noriega, Alexa Garza

Class 5A
DONNA NORTH 1, ROMA 0
Donna North 1 0 — 1
Roma 0 0 — 0
DONNA NORTH (1): Yamile Gonzalez

Class 5A
SHARYLAND PIONEER 4,
BROWNSVILLE PORTER 2
Brownsville Porter 1 1 — 2
Sharyland Pioneer 3 1 — 4
SHARYLAND PIONEER (4): Kate Padilla, Andrea Reyes 2, Abby Martinez

Friday, Saturday
Class 5A
Brownsville Veterans at Sharyland High, 7 p.m.

Area round
Class 6A
McAllen High vs. Harlingen High, Edcouch-Elsa HS, April 3rd, 7 p.m.

Brownsville Rivera at McAllen Memorial, 7 p.m.

Harlingen South vs. Laredo United

PSJA High vs. McAllen Rowe

Class 5A

Donna North vs. San Antonio Harlandale, April 3rd, 7 p.m.
Sharyland Pioneer at Gregory-Portland, April 3rd, 7:30 p.m.
Brownsville Pace vs Flour Bluff

Class 4A

Grulla vs. Kingsville High, MOPAC Field, Kingsville, April 3, 5 p.m.

RGV HS SOCCER BOYS PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Wednesday, March 28
Class 6A Bi-District
Laredo United 2, McAllen Memorial 1
La Joya Juarez-Licnoln 7, Del Rio 0

Thursday, March 29
Class 6A Bi-District
PSJA Southwest 4, Harlingen High 0
Brownsville Rivera 5, Edinburg High 3
Edinburg Economedes 4, Los Fresnos 3, PKs
Laredo LBJ 2, Mission High 0
San Antonio Southwest 4, La Joya High 3, PKs
Class 5A Bi-District
Brownsville Veterans 4, Sharyland Pioneer 0
Brownsville Lopez 4, Laredo Martin 0
Class 4A Bi-District
Hidalgo 5, Port Isabel 1
Zapata 5, La Feria 0
Grulla 6, Rio Hondo 2

Friday, March 30
Class 5A Bi-District
Brownsville Porter vs. Sharyland High at Weslaco East, 6 p.m.

Saturday, March 31
Class 6A Bi-District
Brownsville Hanna at Edinburg North, noon
Class 5A Bi-District
Valley View vs. Donna North at Sharyland High, 10:30 a.m.
Class 4A Bi-District
Progreso at Raymondville, noon

Area round
TBD
Class 6A
La Joya Juarez-Lincoln vs. Edinburg Economedes
PSJA Southwest vs. Laredo LBJ
Brownsville Rivera vs San Antonio Southwest
Laredo United vs. Edinburg North/Brownsville Hanna

Class 5A
Brownsville Lopez vs. Corpus Christi Flour Bluff
Brownsville Veterans vs. Corpus Christi King/Eagle Pass Winn

Class 4A
Grulla vs Corpus Christi London
Hidalgo vs La Vernia

NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER

EDINBURG — The goals came fast and furious in the bi-district round matchup between Harlingen High and Edinburg Vela. The Cardinals found the back of the net just one more time in the 11-goal affair, winning 6-5 in overtime over the SaberCats.

Edinburg Vela’s Odessa Leal scored a minute into overtime, but the first 80 minutes was proof that the SaberCats would need to keep the goals coming to stay ahead. Harlingen stayed the course and scored two overtime goals to down Vela.

First, freshman Claire Reed tied the game at 5-5. The golden moment came with four minutes left in the second overtime period, when Cardinals senior Kaylee Gushwa floated her second goal of the night. The goal stood as the game-winner in Harlingen’s return to the postseason after a five-year absence.

“We weren’t going to take anything away from Vela,” Harlingen coach Debra Galvan said. “We knew we weren’t going to take anything lightly. It was just a nail-biter. Luckily, it was us on top.”

The visiting Cardinals jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but that early margin wasn’t indicative of the tight game that was about to unfold. Two capable offenses strutted their stuff for 100 minutes of edge-of-your-seat action.

After the consecutive Cardinals goals by Monique Rodriguez and Kay-Lani Vasquez at 3:05 and 9:56, respectively, the SaberCats found their offensive touch and scored three in a row.

“2-0 is not that big of a lead. We still had a lot of time to catch up,” Vela forward Taylor Campbell said. “All our players did something to contribute to us scoring. We just kept going and going. From 7 in the morning at school, we were all excited.”

The first Vela goal came after Campbell’s centering cross turned into a collision of three players — two Cardinals and the SaberCats’ Dayana Cantu. With goalkeeper Casey Charles turned around and a defender out of position, Cantu scored a goal from the seat of her shorts to put Vela on the board.

Campbell took over goal-scoring responsibilities for Vela after that, scoring on a through ball from Cantu. The freshman Campbell gave Vela its first lead on a penalty kick conversion following a handball.

The scoreline could have been even higher in the first half if not for plays like SaberCats defender Alyssa Muniz using a desperation slide tackle to prevent Vasquez’s third breakaway in the first 20 minutes.

“We both knew our style of play,” Vela coach Americo Cortez said. “We both knew how to touch the ball, but we both knew each other’s weaknesses. We played the long ball. They played it, too. It was a battle. Whoever would score would win.”

The SaberCats were burned on multiple occasions by the arching lob shot. Rodriguez opened the scoring that way, and senior Kaylee Gushwa exploited sophomore goalie Ashley De La Garza’s positioning to score the first goal of the second half.

Harlingen High coach Debra Galvan said that her team needed to find the recipe that worked early in the game following Vela’s three straight tallies.

“The girls knew they had to feed the ball through to the forwards, and the forwards just had to finish,” Galvan said. “And then, finally, it started clicking to where we were getting the ball to the back of the net.”

Kay-Lani Vasquez scored another breakaway goal with 20 minutes remaining in regulation. The sophomore’s goal felt like an instant reward for Cardinals keeper Charles, who had just made a desperation falling save on the other end.

The speedy Vasquez said she was surprised to find as many opportunities as she did considering she felt the “flat four” offside trap was effective at times.

“I didn’t really expect a lot of balls, because I thought I was going to get offside,” Vasquez said. “But I got a pretty good amount to try finishing.”

Campbell completed her first playoff hat trick in her first playoff game with 15 minutes remaining in regulation. She had chances to level the score in the waning moments of overtime, but an offside call and a key breakaway save stifled the freshman.

The Cardinals will try to carry the momentum from the win into a matchup against District 30-6A champions McAllen High, which defeated Laredo United South 9-1 on Thursday.

“This is what makes it exciting,” Galvan said. “And for the fans, too. It’s games like this is why we have playoffs. The girls are pumped about it. They’re excited. It’s a wonderful moment. It’s exciting, but then we have to get ready for the next game right away.”

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