By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
Every player has his or her role on a soccer team.
Yes, the Pace Lady Vikings are winning in District 32-5A because of the strong and timely offensive contributions of their midfielders and forwards.
And just as important are the contributions of the team’s defenders, who are shining as well. Without their invaluable help along with those players on the offensive end, the Lady Vikings wouldn’t be tied for the lead in 32-5A with PSJA Southwest. Each team is 5-1 with 14 points.
The first round of 32-5A doubleheader action comes to an end at 6 p.m. Tuesday as the Pace girls play host to PSJA Southwest. The boys match between the Javelinas (4-2, 11 points) and Vikings (5-1, 15 points) follows at 8 p.m.
Among those making contributions for the Lady Vikings this season on the defensive end are goalkeepers Vivian Delgado and Jennifer Oliveira along with sweeper Amanda Morales, defensive midfielder Hania Davila, and fullbacks Krista Grayson and Daniela Perez.
It’s an upperclassman group as all are seniors except for the alternating goalkeepers Delgado, a junior, and Oliveira, a freshman.
“We’ve been working hard inside and outside of the field, and the team has been doing really good,” said Davila, a four-year starter. “We’ve been communicating and trying to keep this team going. The defense has been doing an outstanding job. We just try to keep the ball away from our goal while trying to score on the other end of the field.”
Added Morales, also a four-year starter, “Honestly, this team has gone through a lot. We started at the bottom. I remember my freshman year that we won only one game the entire season. To be where we are now, it really feels great. We’ve put in so much work, and it’s great to see it all paying off.
“I think the (varsity playing) experience we have now compared to when we started has a lot to do with it,” Morales added. “It’s (also) the team, the work we do, the attitude we have and the coaches. It’s all just coming together.”
Added Grayson, “We are like a family. We’re sisters.”
Third-year Pace coach Jesus O. Villarreal sees his defense as one of the strong points of the squad.
“Basically, the whole defense is made up of seniors, and they’ve been playing together, if I’m not mistaken, for three years now,” he said. “That says a lot. They know the way I think, and I know the way they think. I know what they’re going to do and they know what I’m going to tell them, so everything is running pretty smoothly with our defense.
“Our defensive players are leaders just by their nature,” he added. “We have two goalies, and both of them are playing. They’re helping out a lot, too.”
The cohesion displayed on defense comes from the bond as teammates the girls share.
“We get along very well on and off the field,” said Perez, a two-year starter. “We’re close to each other, and we try to spend time together.”
Added Delgado, starting in the net for her first season, “It’s actually a pretty big deal to be a member of this team. It’s awesome, really, and it feels great knowing you’re helping out the team. Every win is boosting our confidence. We’ve been working really hard for this.”
Added Oliveira, who is enjoying her chance to play for the Lady Vikings as a freshman, “This being my first year here and being on the varsity is really good, and seeing us go to the playoffs would be even better.”
The girls say playing soccer for the Lady Vikings is a unique experience.
“I wouldn’t trade this team for any other team,” Morales said.