NATHANIEL MATA | THE MONITOR
The Donna North Chiefs are headed back to the playoffs for the first time since the 2015 season, and head coach Tony Garcia likes his team’s chances to carry district success into the postseason.
Though the team won’t catch undefeated Brownsville Pace to capture its third district title in five seasons, Donna North is using district play to prepare for the next phase.
“The nature of this district, with the way the Brownsville town produces soccer and plays soccer, we know that in order to be the best we have to beat the best, which is Brownsville,” Garcia said. “It’s one of those situations where we have to be ready. Eventually, in the postseason, all these games that we play against them is only bound to help us.”
Veteran Elizabeth Reyes and freshman Gabby Aviles have had the scoring touch all season, helping the team net 3.75 goals per game in their eight district wins. Reyes, a senior, has eclipsed the 100-goal mark in her career.
The combo of youth and experience isn’t uncommon on the team. Freshman center midfielder Nancy Espino and senior captain and midfield wing Yamile Gonzalez have also worked in tandem to keep scoring low.
“It’s one of those seasons where we let our offense win the ball games, and then our defense is going to,” Garcia said. “They bought into the concept of ‘offense translates to defense, and defense translates to offense.’”
Donna North’s three losses have come to Brownsville-area teams. Donna North lost to Pace twice — first by one goal, then a 5-0 drubbing this week — and dropped a 5-4 game in overtime to Porter.
“It’s a very competitive district,” Garcia said. “We as coaches and as players understand the importance of being game ready every Tuesday and Friday.”
Last season, District 32-5A won three of four bi-district matchups against 31-5A. Sharyland Pioneer’s 2-0 win over Brownsville Porter was the one exception. All four of the 2017 playoff qualifiers came from Brownsville.