By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
LOS FRESNOS — Yes, it’s a well-used clichè, but the District 32-6A girls race is so balanced that every game is important, especially when the match is between teams that consider themselves title contenders.
The Los Fresnos Lady Falcons and Harlingen South Lady Hawks battled under those circumstances Tuesday at Leo Aguilar Memorial Stadium. The Lady Falcons fell behind 1-0 but emerged with what they regarded as a vital, all-important 2-1 victory, even though it’s still very early in the 32-6A race.
“After losing our district opener (3-0) to Lopez we knew we had to come into this one very aggressively and take the win,” said Lady Falcons coach Patricia K. Hernandez, whose squad improved to 2-1 with six points to stay right behind district leaders Lopez and Hanna (both 3-0). “We started off a little sluggish tonight, but the second half we came out and we were on fire.
“Right now this game is done, so we move on and prepare for the next one,” Hernandez added. “It’s one game at a time for us.”
The Lady Hawks (1-2, four points) needed the win every bit as much as Los Fresnos and were looking pretty good after taking a 1-0 lead six minutes into the second half. South’s goal came on an uncontested shot from 20-plus yards by Klarissa Gonzalez.
However, it was not an advantage that lasted very long as the Lady Falcons evened the score 12 minutes later.
South’s goalkeeper came charging out to secure the ball during the 58th minute but did not get there in time as Los Fresnos’ Gabby Moya sent a slow roller out of a group of players who collided together into an open net for the equalizer.
The match’s outcome was determined barely one minute or so later when Los Fresnos was awarded a penalty kick following a handball call. Clarissa “Claire” Castaneda converted it to give the Lady Falcons a 2-1 edge that stood until the end of the match.
“All the teams in our district are tough,” Lady Hawks coach Omar Pedroza said. “We needed a win, they needed a win. They had lost to Lopez 3-0, but we knew they were a better team than that.
“I told our girls (afterward) that it’s going to be like that against every team in our district,” he added. “You just can’t make mistakes. You have to take advantage of whatever chances you have (if you want to win).”
District action continues at 5:30 p.m. Friday. Los Fresnos is at Harlingen High, and Harlingen South takes on Rivera at Sams Memorial Stadium.