By ROY HESS | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD
Priscila Cortinas is one of the best to ever play soccer for the Porter Cowgirls.
The 2018 graduate is now getting an opportunity to play in college.
The standout forward/midfielder, a four-year starter, has signed to play next school year at the University of Houston-Victoria, an NAIA school in Victoria.
“I’m proud of myself for signing to play in college,” said Cortinas, who throughout her Porter career received all-district and All-Metro honors. “I’m anxious and excited about playing at the next level. I know it will be totally different and more challenging, but I like competition, so I think it will be pretty good.”
Cortinas helped spark the Cowgirls to the playoffs in three of her four years at Porter. The Cowgirls advanced to the postseason for the first time in school history when she was a sophomore in 2016. UIL girls soccer came to the Rio Grande Valley 20 years ago in the late 1990s. The boys started playing in 1983.
Cortinas scored 41 goals during her senior season this past spring and finished her four-year varsity career with 115 goals overall.
“To me, it was an honor to have coached her,” Porter coach Abraham Gracia said. “She was the perfect athlete that any coach would like to have on their team. Priscila was very committed to our program and she never missed a single practice in all four years. Even when she was injured she was there.
“Priscila is a very humble player,” Gracia added. “She never thought she was above anyone else. She’s very respectful and very, very coachable. Whatever you would ask her to do, she would do it.
“She has all the qualities a coach can ask for in a soccer player.”
Cortinas plans to study criminal justice at UH-Victoria.
She is grateful for the impact many people have had on her life, particularly the influence of her parents, Filiberto Sr. and Irma Cortinas, along with the guidance of her coach.
“Thanks to my mom and dad because they’ve always supported me,” Cortinas said. “I also want to thank Coach Gracia. He’s always been there for me since my freshman year at Porter and he’s always helped me.”
The 2018 graduate is the last of her family to play for Porter. Older brothers Filiberto Jr. and Alan were standouts for the Cowboys a number of years ago. Some of her cousins have played the sport at Porter, too.
“It’s something really big for my family since we all love soccer,” Priscila said. “I won’t ever forget my four years of playing at Porter. Memories of the games and what I was taught are something I’ll treasure forever.”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess