EDINBURG — Taylor Campbell scored two goals to lead Edinburg Vela to a 2-0 win over Donna North in Tuesday’s game.
The Edinburg Vela SaberCats and Donna North Chiefs game was one of the most critical games of the season for both schools. With Vela taking the win, both schools are tied for the District 31-6A lead. However, Vela has played one fewer game and holds a tiebreaker after beating Donna North both times in the season.
Campbell scored two goals against the Chiefs the first time the schools played while suppressing a hamstring injury, winning 2-1.
“I felt like I was not at my best when we first played against them,” Campbell said. “I was injured from my hamstring but I took care of it and now I am a hundred percent ready to go.”
Campbell did not let the injury stop her from scoring goals, now close to reaching 50 goals for the 2019-2020 season and 116 goals overall in her high school career as only a junior.
Campbell scored her first goal from inside the box with 32 minutes remaining in the second half. She added her second goal on a penalty kick with 20 minutes remaining. Campbell was named The Monitor’s All-Area Soccer Player of the Year last year.
“Tonight’s game was very tough,” Campbell said. “In the first half we were very nervous, but we molded together toward the end and played as a team like we should have.”
Vela head coach Americo Cortez agreed with Campbell.
“Tonight’s game was a battle,” Cortez said. “We knew they were going to show up and play hard because from here more or less it was going to be decided who was going to win the district title. It’s not over yet; we still have two more games left.
“Last game they were more as an offensive team, but this game they put their best forward (Gabby Aviles) to mark my number 9 (Campbell) but after the first goal, they moved her back to the front, which was the game we were expecting, more attacks.”
The ball stayed more toward Vela’s side as its defense kept improving throughout the game, not letting Donna North past midfield. Vela is 9-1 in district and looking forward to the playoffs.
“The environment for the playoffs is looking good, we have been working really hard and we are ready,” Cortez said.
Vela has reached the playoffs for the past three years but has been knocked out in the first round.
Vela travels to Edinburg High at 6 p.m. Friday.