By EDWARD SEVERN, Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — East Valley soccer teams will begin their playoff journeys next week, with many sides taking on West Valley teams in the bi-district round.
The Harlingen High Lady Cardinals won District 32-6A for the second straight season. Despite winning district, the Lady Cardinals have had their eyes set on the playoffs. Coach Debra Galvan and her players said in the beginning of the season that their goal was a long run playoff run.
Senior defender Lauren Powell and senior goalkeeper Erianah Garza lead a stingy defense that only allowed nine goals in district play. Harlingen High takes on Edinburg North.
Los Fresnos also boasts a strong defense that only conceded four goals in district. The Lady Falcons’ front line will be led by the lethal Ashley Esparza. The Lady Falcons also tailored their season for a deep playoff run.
“My girls are ready to face any opponent in the state of Texas,” Los Fresnos coach Juan Luna said. “As a team, we understand our focus is (Edinburg) Economedes, they have solid players that can score at any moment. If we focus and execute our game style, we will give Economedes a good game.”
Harlingen South will take on Edinburg Vela. Senior forward Sarah Garza is the Lady Hawks’ difference-maker offensively.
“We are a lot better than last year,” South coach Omar Pedroza said. “We actually had six freshmen play in last year’s playoff game. This year, we got a little more experience. If we are healthy, we are going to be OK.”
Brownsville Hanna-La Joya Juarez-Lincoln is a rematch of the BISD tournament final. The match was extremely physical and chippy, and this bi-district meeting is primed for the same.
Lady Eagles forward Ana Barragan is a top goal scorer in the Rio Grande Valley. She will look to fire her team in front offensively. Defensively, Alyiah Castillo is an amazing sweeper that could shut down any attack.
In District 32-5A, Brownsville Porter came out on top to capture the district title and will take on Sharyland High. Cowgirls forwards Denisse Romero and Liberty Garza will look to combine offensively against the Rattlers.
Brownsville Veterans narrowly missed out on a district title. It is hoping to get its hardware in the playoffs.
“We are certainly getting ready for the playoffs,” Lady Chargers coach Luis Troncoso said. “There are aspects of the game that we still need to improve on. We understand that these games are different and bring on added pressure. However, I am fully confident in my team that we will be physically and mentally ready.”
Brownsville Veterans plays host to McAllen Rowe on Thursday.
“The team is motivated and eager to get on the field,” Troncoso said. “(McAllen) Rowe is also a great team, so I am sure this will be a fantastic, competitive game.”
The District 32-4A champion Brownsville IDEA Riverview Lady Rockets face a fellow East Valley side, the Lyford Lady Bulldogs.
“Half of the team have been dreaming about this moment for the past three or four years,” Lady Rockets coach Juan Acosta said. “Others have joined for the first time ever this year, and it’s been an unbelievable experience. Coach Lopez and I make sure the girls feel ready and confident.”
Another East Valley matchup pits the La Feria Lionettes against the Raymondville Lady Bearkats. Rio Hondo faces Hidalgo, and Brownsville Jubilee squares off with Pharr IDEA.
BOYS
The Brownsville Hanna Eagles were crowned the District 32-6A champions on the final match day. The Eagles are well-organized defensively and punish sides on the counter.
Left-footed playmaker Sebastian Gonzalez and striker Sergio Gomez provide the goal-scoring threats for the Eagles, who are scheduled to face Mission High.
“The guys are committed,” Hanna coach Reyes Prado said. “We are ready to go. Unfortunately, we have to wait another week for the playoffs. Hopefully that does not impact our rhythm, but hopefully we get some rest and are healthy.”
Second place in District 32-6A fell to the Brownsville Rivera Raiders after dropping a point to Donna North. The Raiders did not make it to the playoffs last season.
Raiders coach Salvador Garcia said there is a lot of excitement among the squad and that it will be ready by Friday against Edinburg North.
“It is going to be an extremely difficult game,” he said. “We had a chance to play them at the beginning of the year, and even though we won the game, I feel they had more scoring opportunities than we did and dominated the game. Coach Moran is one of the best coaches around. His kids will be ready.”
Los Fresnos finished fourth in the district but could hang with anybody. The Falcons are an extremely athletic side that is also well-organized like Hanna and Rivera.
“We are excited for the opportunity,” Falcons coach Michael Miller said. “We were disappointed to not win another district title, but now we are focused on the playoffs. Playing a district champion will be a tough ask. We are looking forward to it.”
District 32-5A was a battle. The Brownsville Porter Cowboys came out on top of a three-horse race featuring the Brownsville Lopez Lobos and the Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers.
Porter coach Jose Espitia said the tough district has helped his team feel ready, especially winning the district title at Lopez.
“I feel the team have been peaking at the right time,” he said. “We know that PSJA Memorial have been a very tough opponent. They have conceded very few goals against top-rated opponents. It will be tough, but that is how it is in the playoffs.”
Brownsville Veterans finished second and is another well-rounded side in the Brownsville area. Chargers forward Tommy Green is a solid striker who combines well with brilliant forward Javier Ballesteros.
“Second place in an extremely competitive district is definitely a good outcome,” Chargers coach Alberto Vasquez said. “We were one point away from a district title, so I am extremely proud of our team. We are playing high-level soccer right now, so I definitely feel the team is ready for the playoffs.”
Brownsville Veterans is scheduled to face PSJA Southwest.
Brownsville Lopez will take on Sharyland High. Aaron Martinez and Juan Jaramillo are the leading scorers on a Lobos team that scored the most goals in the district.
Brownsville Pace is set to match up with District 31-5A champion and 2020-2021 state semifinalist Valley View.
Brownsville Jubilee came out on top of District 32-4A and is slated to take on Weslaco IDEA Pike. Jubilee’s Luis Garza is one of the best strikers in the city. The forward glides through challenges and is deadly if given space in the box.
Brownsville IDEA Frontier finished second in the district and is matched up with Pharr IDEA. Brownsville IDEA Riverview finished third after battling with Frontier and Jubilee during the season.
Riverview will take on Progreso, one of the better performers in the playoffs in recent times. Brownsville Harmony matches up with Hidalgo, the District 31-4A champion and one of the best teams in the Valley.