By ROY HESS | Staff Writer
Alexis Guajardo continues to be one of the top soccer players for the Pace Lady Vikings.
She’ll soon be taking her soccer game to the next level.
Guajardo, a four-year starter at midfielder/forward, was a key contributor on the Pace team that won District 32-5A with a 14-0 record last season. Now as a senior, she’s boosting the current Lady Viking squad’s efforts to defend its district title.
On Wednesday, Guajarado signed a college scholarship to play soccer next school year at Southwestern University, an NCAA Division III school in Georgetown.
“It’s really a blessing to play a sport you love for all these years and then get a chance to go play at the collegiate level,” said Guajardo, who expects to focus on attaining a pre-law degree at Southwestern. “It’s something really special, and I’m excited about it.
“I love the coaches and I love the campus at Southwestern,” she added. “The team and the coach were just so welcoming when I went for my official visit. It felt like home. They were so kind, so I think it will be a good place to play in college.
“It’s going to be a transition, but I’m ready for it. I’m pretty confident that it won’t be too difficult. I hope I can go there and make an impact for the team and help out as much as I can.”
Last week, Lady Vikings coach Jesus O. Villarreal had another Pace player, Marcela “Marcy” Garza, sign to play at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley.
On Wednesday, it was Guajardo’s turn to sign.
The Pace coach said he is quite proud of both of them. His thoughts were on Guajardo Wednesday.
“First of all, Alexis is a key player,” Villarreal said. “She’s one of our captains who is a leader on the field. She has done a lot of things and played every position except goalkeeper. She has made a lot of assists and she’s getting close to scoring 100 goals (for her career).
“Alexis is a great student in the classroom as well,” the Lady Vikings coach added. “She’s amazing. This is not the end for her, it’s just the beginning of her endeavors. She’ll do well. I have no doubt.”
Guajardo said she is grateful for many people in her support system, including her parents, Juan Gabriel and Laura Guajardo.
CONFIDENCE BOOSTER
There remained plenty of positive feelings for the Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers after their 2-1 District 32-5A victory at home against previously unbeaten Valley View on Tuesday.
The Chargers now lead 32-5A with a 4-0 record (12 points) going into Friday’s 5:30 p.m. district match at Porter (2-2, seven points).
“This win was amazing,” Brownsville Veterans’ Mark Boswell said of Tuesday’s triumph. “We knew it would be tough, and we played with everything we had. Thank God we were able to play (well) and we got the ‘W’ at the end.
“It’s (simply) another win (though),” he added. “It gives us (added) confidence, of course, but we know we’re not done yet. We won’t be satisfied until we win state. Before then, we haven’t accomplished anything.”
In the 32-5A boys standings behind Brownsville Veterans, it’s Pace (3-1, nine points), Valley View (3-1, nine points), Porter, Lopez (2-2, five points), Donna High (1-3, three points), Edcouch-Elsa (1-3, three points) and Mercedes (0-4, no points).
A VERY CLOSE 32-6A
Nothing could be closer than the District 32-6A boys standings after two game dates. All six teams are 1-1 with three points each.
On the girls side, thanks to its 1-0 win against Harlingen High on Tuesday, Hanna leads 32-6A with a 2-0 record and six points. Behind the Lady Golden Eagles are Los Fresnos (2-0, five points), Harlingen South (1-1, four points), Harlingen High (1-1, three points) and Rivera and San Benito (each 0-2 with no points).
Concerning the girls district race at this point, Lady Falcons coach Patricia K. Hernandez said, “We knew that Hanna and Rivera were on fire in the preseason. We knew it was going to be a tough start (in district) for us with fewer schools now (six instead of eight). We also know we have to have our ‘A’ game (every night), and we can’t afford any losses.
“For us right now, it’s consistency,” Hernandez added. “We just have to be consistent every step of the way.”
The Lady Falcons face their next challenge at Harlingen High at 5:30 p.m. Friday.