A pair of second-half goals propelled McAllen High over Corpus Christi Veterans in a 3-1 win in their Region IV-5A area-round playoff matchup Tuesday at Cabaniss Field in Corpus Christi.
The Bulldogs (21-1-2) advance to this weekend’s regional quarterfinals to face crosstown rival McAllen Rowe, which defeated Corpus Christi Flour Bluff 5-4 on Tuesday. The teams will play at 7:30 p.. Friday at Rowe High School.
McHi’s Julianna Millin scored the game’s first goal in the 18th minute by punching in a short crosser from Milan Diaz just in front of the Corpus Christi Veterans goal for a 1-0 advantage.
The Bulldogs opened the second half with a bang as Savannah Ruiz sent a long pass in the direction of Diaz, who outraced two Eagles defenders and their goalie for the ball and an easy goal for a 2-0 lead in the 42nd minute.
Millin found the back of the net again during the 51st minute as she headed a corner from Ruiz under the outstretched arm of the Eagles’ goalie for the Bulldogs’ final score of the night.
Corpus Christi Veterans answered with a goal by Allison Kostoch during the 62nd minute, but McHi’s defense and goalkeeper Alison Tawil prevented the Eagles from coming any closer.
The victory extends McHi’s winning streak to 19 games.
McALLEN MEMORIAL 3, VICTORIA WEST 0: At Corpus Christi, Kennedy Kaiser recorded a hat trick to lead the Mustangs past the Warriors on Tuesday at Cabaniss Field.
Kaiser put the Mustangs on the board with a goal in the 25th minute to go ahead 1-0.
She added goals two and three within three minutes of each other to start the second half, giving Memorial a 3-0 lead in the 50th minute.
McAllen Memorial (19-4-1) moves on to meet Gregory-Portland in a regional quarterfinal. Game details are to be determined.
CLASS 6A
HARLINGEN HIGH 3, SAN ANTONIO BRENNAN 1: At Corpus Christi, the Cardinals advanced to the regional quarterfinal round with a takedown of the Bears on Tuesday at Calallen High School.
Emma Duarte, Camila Hernandez and Naeori Resenedez scored a goal apiece to lead Harlingen over Brennan.
The Cardinals (17-1-1) advance to face San Antonio O’Connor. Game details are to be determined.
SAN ANTONIO O’CONNOR 8, WESLACO HIGH 1: At Corpus Christi, the Panthers’ first area-round appearance since 2005 came to an end with a loss against O’Connor on Tuesday at Cabaniss Field.
The O’Connor Panthers poured it on with an 8-0 lead before Weslaco’s Kaitlynn Black broke free for a goal during the 89th minute.
The Panthers defeated Edinburg Economedes 4-1 last Thursday in the bi-district round to earn their spot in Round 2. The last time Weslaco’s girls soccer program qualified for the playoffs was during the 2013-14 season. Weslaco ends its season 14-8-1 overall.
SAN ANTONIO TAFT 3, LOS FRESNOS 0: At Alice, the Falcons were held scoreless against the Raiders in their area-round matchup Tuesday at Alice High School.
Los Fresnos finishes the year 15-8-3 overall.