FREDDY GONZALEZ | Valley Morning Star
LOS FRESNOS — When it’s not ice, rain or lightning wreaking havoc on athletic schedules across the Rio Grande Valley, it’s fog.
Within the span of two hours the visibility at Leo Aguilar Memorial Stadium in Los Fresnos went from clear to barley visible as dense fog en-gulfed the soccer pitch.
However, despite the visual impairment and Harlingen High’s tenacious attacking threat, the Los Fresnos Falcons were still able to come up with a 3-1 overtime win over the Cardinals.
“We scored within 28 seconds to start the game and I think we dominated the first half,” said Los Fresnos head coach Javier Navarrete. “In the second half Harlingen came out with everything because I think they wanted it and they were hungry, and they dominated the second half.
“The team showed a lot of character and we came out strong, and in the second half we let them manhandle us and back into the game. They scored a goal, which I couldn’t even see because the fog was terrible, and it was just scary and we went away from our game plan.”
After Benjamin Ramirez opened the scoring for the Falcons, the Cardinals attacked the Los Fresnos goal in waves looking for the equalizer. And with four minutes remaining on the clock, the Cardinals got what they were looking for behind a goal by Jesus Berlanga.
Berlanga’s equalizer sent the game into overtime where the Falcons scored two goals behind Adrian Torres and Leo Ocana. Ramirez finished the game with one goal and two assists.
“Benjamin is a senior and seasoned player with a lot of experience, and played with a lot of what we needed,” said Navarrete. “He’s cool, calm and collected, and every play he played had an impact on the game.”
GIRLS GAME: While the boys were able to complete their game, visibility on the field was deemed unplayable for the girls game between the Lady Cardinals and Lady Falcons that was to follow.
To avoid the elevated risk of injury and road hazards after the match, the game was postponed until noon today Leo Aguilar Memorial Stadium.
Both teams are even at nine points apiece and tied for second place in District 32-6A. The winner of today’s contest will look to keep pace with first place Harlingen South, which leads the league race with 13 points.