By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
With just three games remaining on the District 32-6A girls soccer schedule, the top four candidates for the playoffs are distancing themselves from the other four teams in the conference.
Actually, the district’s top two teams, Harlingen South (9-2, 27 points) and Hanna (9-2, 26 points), already have clinched playoff spots, while Los Fresnos (9-2, 25 points) and Lopez (6-5, 20 points) are close behind. Also in the mix is fifth-place Rivera (5-6, 16 points), but the Lady Raiders appear to be a longshot for the postseason at this point.
Key 32-6A girls matchups at 7:15 p.m. Friday have South at Hanna and Los Fresnos taking on Rivera at Sams Memorial Stadium. Rounding out the district’s girls schedule at the same time Friday, it’s Lopez at San Benito and Brownsville Veterans Memorial at Harlingen High.
Maddy Brama, Hanna’s senior sweeper, said she would dearly love to see her team win district, but at the same time she believes any team qualifying for the playoffs as one of the top four finishers in 32-6A deserves credit and should have an excellent chance to do well in the postseason because it’s such a tough district.
“First, second, third, fourth (place), it’s just a number,” Brama said. “Everybody is talented in this district, and it doesn’t really matter what place you are (as long as you make it to the playoffs).
“I don’t think any team in the top four places deserves anything more or less than anybody else,” she added. “Everyone has worked extremely hard to get where they are, so I congratulate anyone who is in first, second, third or fourth place. We’ve all worked hard.”
Playoffs for girls and boys teams in Classes 6A, 5A and 4A begin March 26.
32-5A UPDATE
With four games remaining in District 32-5A girls soccer, things are even more bunched together than in 32-6A.
No one has clinched a playoff spot yet, although 32-5A leader Donna North (9-1, 26 points) is looking very strong, having won nine in a row since losing its district opener 2-1 to Porter on Jan. 27.
After Donna North, the next four girls teams in 32-5A are Edcouch-Elsa (8-2, 21 points), Pace (7-3, 21 points), PSJA Southwest (6-4, 20 points) and Porter (6-4, 18 points). Of the top five teams in 32-5A, four will be advancing to the postseason, so there will be disappointment for one of those squads later this month when the playoff qualifiers are finalized.
PORTER VS. PACE
Part II of the 32-5A city rivalry between Porter and Pace takes place with a doubleheader at Porter on Friday as the boys play at 6 p.m. and the girls at 8 p.m.
Since each team in the girls match is contending for a playoff spot, the stakes are quite high. Thanks to a converted penalty kick, the Lady Vikings edged the Cowgirls 2-1 at Pace during the opening round of district on Feb. 6.
“The match against Porter comes with high value,” Lady Vikings coach Jesus O. Villarreal said. “It is (against) a Brownsville team, and points are needed for both teams to gain a playoff spot. Our team is focused, concentrated and anxious about this game. Our team is ready.”
Regarding the contest, Cowgirls coach Abraham Gracia said, “It’s going to be a tough matchup. The playoff spots (in our district) are still up for grabs, and anything can happen. This is a real important game for us.”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess.