By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
After going 3-0-1 at a tournament in Brenham last weekend, the Porter Cowgirls are feeling pretty good about their chances in District 32-5A this season.
Previously, they’ve come close, but the Porter girls have never made it to the playoffs. Maybe that will change this year.
At Brenham, the Cowgirls defeated Navasota 4-0, Little Cypress Mauriceville 1-0 and Lamar Consolidated 6-0, and they tied Manor 0-0.
Priscilla Cortinas led Porter with five goals in four games. Teammates Alexis Vega, Marcela Galvan and Angie Escandon each had two in the tournament.
Cowgirls coach Abraham Gracia said a strong start to the season helps the Porter girls a lot.
“The girls played their hearts out,” Gracia said. “They played really good technically, tactically, physically, and most important of all, mentally.
“I believe such a good start will help us on our mental aspect of the game,” he added. “I believe it will give our girls the confidence and ability to believe and realize how awesome they can be when they think, believe and feel positive about themselves.”
The next action for the Cowgirls will be at 10 a.m. Thursday against Rio Hondo in the Brownsville ISD Tournament at Brownsville Sports Park.
BISD TOURNAMENT
The three-day, 28-team BISD Tournament for girls kicks off at 9 a.m. today at BSP with pool play in four seven-team groups.
The Rivera Lady Raiders are defending tournament champions. They defeated Lopez 2-1 in last year’s final.
“It looks rough,” Lady Raiders coach Thomas Brashear said of the tournament field. “With both McAllen High and McAllen Memorial (entered and with) Sharyland (High), Los Fresnos, the Edinburg schools and the Brownsville teams in it, it’s going to be a great test for all the teams as they get ready for district (to start later this month).”
Pool play continues Friday at BSP with quarterfinal bracket play slated for Saturday.
Gracia is the tournament director this year.
“The competition should be good,” Gracia said. “We have very strong programs/teams attending the tournament. It should be a fun tournament. I just hope we have the weather on our side.”
32-6A PREVIEW
The District 32-6A girls race is expected to be quite competitive this year with Lopez, Hanna, Rivera, Los Fresnos and Harlingen South all among the favorites.
The BISD Tournament should provide a good preview of what is to come in 32-6A, as all of them are entered except South, which is coming off last weekend’s second straight championship at the Border Olympics tournament in Laredo.
Besides the five teams considered favorites in 32-6A, Harlingen High, Brownsville Veterans Memorial and San Benito are expected to be improved, making it perhaps the most competitive girls district top to bottom in the Rio Grande Valley this season.