By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
The Rivera Raiders were determined not to make an early exit from the Class 6A state soccer playoffs.
They showed their resolve by scoring four goals during the second half after trailing 1-0 at intermission to defeat PSJA Memorial 4-2 on Thursday at Sams Memorial Stadium.
The bi-district victory advances the Raiders, defending 6A state champions, to next week’s area round of the playoffs against La Joya Juarez-Lincoln or Laredo United.
This season, Rivera finished fourth in District 32-6A after winning it in 2015.
Regardless, the Raiders’ objective of doing well in the playoffs remains the same.
“A lot of people are saying that for us to be in the playoffs is just a plus because of the (young) team we have, but I don’t see it like that,” Rivera coach Salvador Garcia said. “We’re going to have these guys for the next two or three years, and obviously that’s going to help (down the road). But I told our guys there’s no reason why we can’t win now.”
PSJA Memorial took a 1-0 lead during the 26th minute when the ball was centered from the right side and Osvaldo Villanueva sent a perfectly placed header into the left corner of the net.
But coming out of the intermission Rivera was a different team, scoring goals during the 49th, 55th and 59th minutes to go up 3-1.
Eliezer “Chaii” Acero scored on a breakaway from the left side to even the score at 1 during the 49th minute. Acero beat the goalkeeper in a 1-on-1 confrontation from close range during the 55th minute to put Rivera ahead for good 2-1. Then Rivera’s Manuel Espinoza sent a slow roller into the goal following a corner kick from the right side during the 59th minute to make it 3-1.
The District 31-6A champion Wolverines pulled to within 3-2 on another goal by Villanueva with about 10 minutes remaining before Acero tallied his third goal of the night from about 10 yards away with a little more than 1 minute left to complete the scoring. Acero dribbled around three defenders before firing the ball into the net.
It marked the third straight game for Acero to finish with a hat trick.
PSJA Memorial coach Alex Cruz said his team played well enough during the opening half, but somehow things slipped away from the Wolverines in the final 40 minutes.
“We came here believing we could play with Rivera, and we did for a while,” Cruz said. “We had beaten them in the Brownsville Tournament (in January) on penalties, but they’re a different team now.
“I’m proud of my guys,” he added. “We had a good season. We know it’s going to be tough against any team from Brownsville no matter where they finish in district.”