By EDWARD SEVERN, Staff Writer
BROWNSVILLE — Brownsville Veterans Memorial Lady Chargers goalkeeper Emma Gonzalez saved three shots during the penalty shootout to help give her team an extra point after a goalless draw against the Brownsville Porter Cowgirls in the opening game of District 32-5A.
“I think we studied them a lot, and we learned where to shoot and where they shoot,” Gonzalez said. “We practice penalties and we consistently work hard at practice, and when the moment is there we are zoned in and able to get the win.”
The Lady Chargers were the more physical team during the first half. Multiple strong tackles in the midfield created attacking opportunities.
Porter defended superbly and had some opportunities on the counter but opted for shots from long range, with nothing really troubling Gonzalez.
The physical first half ended up goalless.
The best chance for Brownsville Veterans came early in the second half after dominating the midfield. Midfielders Angela Garcia and Loren Averyt were a force in the midfield as their tackles, interceptions and penetrating dribbles gave chances to the attackers.
The chance came after Porter gave up the ball in the midfield. The ball fell kindly to forward Stephanie Guerra, but her curled effort was just wide.
“We came out ready to play,” Brownsville Veterans coach Luis Troncoso said. “We knew it was going to be tough, there is a reason they are back-to-back champs. So, we knew we had to come in and try to perform our best, and I think we did tonight.”
Despite Brownsville Veterans having good amounts of possession early in the second half, Porter had a golden opportunity from a cross. The unmarked Cowgirls attacker could not redirect the cross goal-bound. Porter looked dangerous on set pieces and balls in the box.
The Lady Chargers looked like they were likely to score at the end. Porter sweeper Ebony Garza was routinely there to stop any serious attacking threats.
“Proud of my team,” Porter coach Abraham Garcia said. “We did not practice for five days and had some key players out from injuries or just returning. Penalties are 50/50. It is not a loss, it is a tie. When you go to penalties, it is either your day or it isn’t.”