By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
PORT ISABEL — After coming close on a number of scoring chances during the first half, the Port Isabel Tarpons came up with a goal just seven minutes into the second half while going into a strong, blustery wind to prevail 1-0 on Friday against the IDEA Frontier Chargers.
The District 32-4A soccer victory evens the Tarpons’ record at 1-1, and the Chargers are now 0-2.
“It was exciting (to score that goal),” said Port Isabel’s Nathan Berman, a junior midfielder on the wing who received a pass from teammate Felipe Cacho before firing a shot into the net from about 10 yards out on the left side with 33 minutes left to play. “Hopefully I can score a couple more this season.”
With a strong wind at their backs, the Tarpons came oh so close to putting the ball in the goal during the opening half, but the Chargers, thanks to a standout effort by goalkeeper Osmar Garcia, kept the home team scoreless. Garcia continued to make saves during the final 40 minutes, but that one shot by Berman got past him and it turned out to be the difference.
“It’s a tough loss,” Frontier coach Jerry De La Garza said. “We weren’t able to get going and play the way we wanted to play. We just need to regroup and remain focused for our upcoming game.”
The Tarpons were the team on the attack most of the time throughout the match, even despite going against such a forceful wind during the second half.
“We’ve been practicing and getting ready for this opponent because we lost to them 3-2 at the tournament in Progreso (late last month),” Port Isabel coach Salvador Hernandez said. “We knew what they had, and we were ready to play them.
“I told our guys to play the wings (to advance the ball) and we did, and pretty soon we were playing well across the whole field,” Hernandez added. “Ball control was tough to do tonight (because of the wind), but our players adjusted to it.”
Port Isabel opened 32-4A action with a 2-1 loss Tuesday at La Feria. The same night, Frontier opened district with a 2-1 setback at home against Progreso.
“Getting this win is good because we have an advantage now, “ Berman said. “We’re not 0-2, so we can push forward and hopefully come out (well) in district.”
The Tarpons next play at home Tuesday against defending 32-4A champion Progreso, and IDEA Frontier will have a home game the same night against La Feria. It’s a four-team district.
“I think our win tonight gives us a good turnaround because we want to keep moving forward,” Hernandez said. “We have a pretty solid team with our seniors, juniors and sophomores. Our players are coming together and playing more as a team. That’s what I’m looking for before we go to the playoffs.”