HARLINGEN — Harlingen High did not need to win Friday to secure a District 32-6A championship.
They did anyway, defeating the Los Fresnos Falcons 4-1 to win the District 32-6A title in front of the home crowd at Harlingen High School.
“I respect Los Fresnos, their staff, their players, and they have a great program over there,” Harlingen High head coach Jose Galvan said. “My girls fought from the very first second to the last one, and I am really proud of them. They deserved this, now it is crunch time with the playoffs coming up.”
Galvan is hoping for the goals do not dry up in the playoffs after putting four past one of the best teams in the Valley.
“It is great to have my forwards on the scoresheets,” Galvan said. “Hopefully we can have more goals in the playoffs.”
Goals from Naeori Resendez, Mary Catherine Lyssy, Brianna Leal and Rosa Zapata lifted the Cardinals. Resendez scored the final goal for the Cardinals in the second half and finished as the top scorer in the district.
“I felt like I can do better,” Resendez said. “But I am still proud to assist and score. Overall, I am proud we were able to pull together. We worked really hard to become undefeated district champions.”
Zapata opened the scoring after combining brilliantly with Resendez. District 32-6A’s top scorer played a beautiful ball behind the defender to free up Zapata. The senior forward easily beat the keeper with her left foot to fire the Cardinals ahead midway through the first half.
A foul on the outside of the box set up the Cardinals’ second goal of the match, and ultimately the decider. Leal stepped up to the take free kick with her left foot, placing her shot over the keeper and into the back of the net.
Los Fresnos did make things interesting with a goal, but Lyssy and Resendez made sure the Falcons would not have a late comeback attempt.
The teams finish District 32-6A as first and second for the second straight season. The Falcons’ only losses in district came at the hands of the Cardinals.
Brownsville Rivera finishes the season as the third seed in the district, and Weslaco High finishes as the fourth seed with the playoffs coming after Spring Break.