KEVIN NARRO | SPECIAL TO THE MONITOR
DONNA — Heading into Tuesday’s District 32-5A matchup, Donna High and Donna North both needed a win to boost their playoff hopes as the regular season winds down.
“I wanted our kids to take advantage of this moment. It comes and goes,” Donna North coach Andres Sanchez said. “By the time you know it, your career is over, and you’re sitting in the stands.”
Donna North responded with a 2-1 win (5-4 in penalty kicks) over Donna High. The win puts the Chiefs at 6-6 with 16 points, tied for fifth place with Brownsville Pace, which beat Edcouch-Elsa Tuesday. Donna High still holds on to fourth place at 5-7 with 17 points.
All three teams will be fighting to earn a playoff berth with two games remaining. Donna North closes out the year with Brownsville Veterans and Mercedes, while Donna High still has games against Pace and Brownsville Veterans.
“I told our kids tonight wasn’t an absolute must win, but we didn’t want to lose, either,” Sanchez said. “A loss would have complicated things in the standings.”
Donna North overcame a 1-0 deficit in the final two minutes of regulation. The Chiefs missed their first two free kicks early in the second half, but the third time was the charm, as Nestor Arenas laced in the tying goal via a free kick.
After an emotional second half, Juan Carlos kicked the game-winning goal for Donna North during the penalty shootout.
The top three playoff spots in District 32-5A belong to Brownsville Lopez, Brownsville Veterans and Brownsville Porter — the defending state champions. Pace is the fourth Brownsville school also vying for a playoff spot.
“It’s a very tough district. Each week has its own challenge,” Sanchez said. “Playing against the Brownsville schools is the toughest thing, but I thought we have played them well, and we have learned from those games.”