By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
Whether it was a boys team from Brownsville or a girls team from Harlingen, all the ones who made it to the regional tournament in soccer this season from Cameron County were intent upon taking the next step and qualifying for this week’s UIL state tournament.
For that reason, it’s understandable that some disappointment exists because neither the Brownsville Hanna boys nor the Harlingen South girls were able to qualify for state this year from the Class 6A regional tournament, and the Brownsville Veterans Memorial boys suffered the same fate at their Class 5A regional tournament.
After sending three teams to state from the Rio Grande Valley during each of the past three seasons, the only one going in 2019 is Valley View’s boys.
The seasons for the Brownsville Veterans and Hanna boys ended at the regional level this past weekend as did the season for the South girls.
At the Region IV-6A Tournament at Brownsville Sports Park, the Golden Eagles were edged 3-2 on Friday during the regional semifinals by San Antonio Reagan, and the Lady Hawks were defeated 3-0 on Saturday by Lake Travis in the regional final at BSP.
“It’s always been a challenge for all of the Brownsville schools (to win once they reach the regional tournament), but it’s not the ultimate goal, really,” said Hanna coach Reyes Prado, whose team finished the season with a 17-6 record. “Our goal (in Brownsville) has always been to make it to state and win it all. Being at regionals is nice because it means you have a chance at advancing.”
San Antonio Lee wound up being the 6A boys team advancing to the state tournament this week in Georgetown with a 5-0 victory over Reagan in Saturday’s regional final at BSP.
The South girls (23-4) ended up one win short of making their first trip to state after falling against Lake Travis during Saturday’s regional final for the girls at BSP. It was only the second time for the Lady Hawks to play in the regional final after advancing that far for the first time in 2003.
“Our girls were sad and crying and everything else after our loss to Lake Travis, but they don’t realize what an accomplishment this (regional runner-up finish) is by making it all the way to the regional final against some of the teams we played (in the playoffs) that were very good,” Lady Hawks coach Omar Pedroza said. “This is only the second time (to get a trophy like this) in my 23 years (as coach).
“To be able to be here and do as well as we did was very good, and I’m very happy for our girls,” he added. “They did an outstanding job. That’s just the way it goes sometimes.”
The South girls prevailed 2-1 in overtime against Austin Westlake during Friday’s regional semifinals to earn their spot against Lake Travis in Saturday’s final at BSP.
Perhaps the most frustrating ending for an area team during the weekend involved the Brownsville Veterans boys, who saw their season come to close for the third straight year in the Class 5A regional final at Corpus Christi’s Cabaniss Field.
Valley View beat the Chargers 4-2 in Saturday’s 5A regional final. The Tigers are going to state for the second straight year.
Brownsville Veterans, which beat Kerrville Tivy 2-0 during Friday’s regional semifinals, closed its season with a 24-4-1 record.
“I’m extremely proud of my boys,” Chargers coach Alberto Vasquez said. “They left everything on the field, and they kept fighting until the very end.
“It has been difficult to earn respect among the great soccer programs in Brownsville (that have been to state), but because of the hard work and dedication of our guys, I truly believe respect has been earned,” Vasquez added. “I’m super proud to be their coach.”