By ROY HESS | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD
The Lopez Lobos started District 32-5A boys soccer competition in a big way Friday by winning 4-1 at Porter in the second “Battle of Southmost” matchup between the two teams this season.
In the final of the inaugural Southmost Classic tournament at Porter on Jan. 6, the first weekend of the season, the Cowboys beat the Lobos 1-0.
Friday’s match was more important, though, as it counted in the 32-5A standings.
“It’s Porter, and I guess any time we beat Porter or they beat us, it’s a big win,” Lopez coach Amadeo Escandon said. “Now that it’s over, we have to concentrate on our next game Tuesday (against Donna North).
“This was a good way to start the district season,” he added.
The Lobos scored three goals in the first half Friday to lead 3-0 and then went up 4-0 before the Cowboys’ Christian Maldonado tallied a goal with 10 minutes left.
Sebastian Benavides and Jose “Chevy” Echavarria each had a pair of goals for the Lobos. Echavarria scored on a penalty kick 10 minutes into the second half to make it 4-0.
Echavarria drew a red card seconds after the Lobos’ fourth goal. The ref changed the red to a yellow when it was explained to him that “Chevy” wasn’t taunting the Porter crowd. He was instead making a heart sign with his hands to his girlfriend in the stands after he converted the penalty kick.
The match drew a standing-room-only crowd with almost as many fans standing on the edge of the field as were packed into the stands.
It was a girls-boys 32-5A doubleheader with the girls playing first.
The opening match was much closer and just as intense as the nightcap.
Playing their first “Battle of Southmost” match in 32-5A soccer this season, the Porter Cowgirls came away with a 1-0 victory over the Lopez Lady Lobos.
“It was a great game — they always are (in the Battle of Southmost),” Cowgirls coach Abraham Gracia said. “Like always, they can go either way.”
It was the 32-5A opener for both teams as well. Each squad is coming off a playoff season and the Lady Lobos are defending 32-5A champions.
The difference in the outcome of Friday’s match was a penalty kick awarded to the Porter girls barely 10 minutes into the second half.
Priscila Cortinas, a reliable scorer for Porter who is now a senior, took the PK and converted it, giving the Cowgirls the only goal they would need.
“This win is a good, positive motivation for us,” Gracia said. “It keeps us moving forward. Lopez has a good team, so it helps us out a lot to win against them.”
The Porter boys and girls continue 32-5A action next Tuesday at Pace. The same night, the Lopez boys and girls will be at home against Donna North for another 32-5A matchup.