BY STEVEN RAY HERNANDEZ | SPECIAL TO THE MONITOR
McALLEN — If the goal scored by McAllen Memorial’s Connie Avila in Friday’s District 30-6A game against McAllen Rowe was on YouTube, chances are it would go viral.
With 21:15 remaining in the second half, the Lady Mustangs midfielder nailed a shot that looked like a basketball 3-pointer.
After muscling the ball from a defender, Avila spun around in a fade away-like fashion and booted the ball about 20 yards up in the air. The arc put the ball completely out of reach of Lady Warriors keeper Sarayma Villalobos and put Memorial on top 3-1.
That shot would pretty much define the night for the Lady Mustangs, who topped the Lady Warriors 5-1 to keep their unblemished record in tact at 8-0.
“We know (Rowe) can be dangerous, but we made some good decisions and had some good saves tonight,” McAllen Memorial coach Matthew Kaiser said. “We’ve had good luck against them in the past and again tonight.”
Avila’s goal was her second of the night. Earlier in the game, her shot bounced off a few Lady Warriors defenders and found its way into goal.
Rowe had several good looks throughout the game, but came up short with shots sailed over the goal by just inches.
Their only score of the game came by way of Sarah Rodriguez, who netted a header with 22:20 remaining to keep the game from a shutout.
With the win, McAllen Memorial remains atop District 30-6A heading into a matchup with La Joya Juarez-Lincoln.
“They are a tough defensive squad, but we will be ready for them,” Kaiser said.