By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
A soccer team doesn’t put together a solid, unyielding defense simply overnight.
It takes defenders with a good amount of experience who know just how to cut off the angles and how to communicate with each other effectively so they can turn back the many offensive attacks made by opponents throughout the course of a game.
The Porter Cowboys, ranked No. 1 in the Rio Grande Valley by RGVSports.com and undefeated in District 32-5A at 3-0 with nine points, have such a defense.
Robert Briseno and Anthony Cuellar, both juniors, are two of the experienced players who have been important contributors to the Cowboys’ defense since they were freshmen. They have received all-district honors, including last season when Briseno was co-defensive MVP in 32-5A. At the moment, Briseno is sidelined with an injury that is expected to keep him out of the lineup until possibly the second round of district.
Still, the pair of three-year starters, mainly central defenders who at times move up to the midfield, are making an impact and helping the team win.
“Both of them are all-around athletes who ran cross country as freshmen along with playing soccer,” Porter coach Jose Espitia said. “With those two guys coming back this year, we knew we were going to be solid on defense. They’re surrounded by about five other defenders who have been contributing as well. They’re very committed to the program, and they work hard every day. They are both leaders on the field, so that’s always a blessing.”
With Briseno out, other Porter players stepping in for him on defense include Esteban Mata, Fernando Trigo and Haramber Garcia.
“It’s very difficult (not playing) because you’re not able to do what you love doing, and I’ve been working so hard since the first day (of practice),” Briseno said. “But I’m not in a rush to come back because the season just started and it’s just the beginning (of district). Also, I believe in all my teammates.
“The defense, in my opinion, is doing well because we’ve all been working together as a team,” he added. “We motivate each other, we all put the same amount of effort into every play, we give each other a hand even when we mess up, and most importantly we believed in each other when at the beginning no one believed in us.
“Yes, I’m very pleased because the team always comes first, and as long as the team does well with me or without me I’ll be happy.”
The Cowboys have allowed only three goals in 11 matches, including none while outscoring opponents a combined 9-0 during three 32-5A games.
“I feel great being a part of this team and being a starter,” said Cuellar, who was the kicker for the Cowboys’ playoff football team just a few months ago. “We’ve been working hard and everything, and I think that’s why we’re doing so well.
“I feel great mainly because no one has scored on us (in district),” he added. “We just have to keep going to practice and working hard every day. We all just work as a family. If one player goes out we replace him, switch positions (if we have to), and we’re all just moving (defensively) where ever the ball goes.”
The Cowboys are preparing for Friday’s crucial 32-5A showdown against crosstown rival Pace, which is also 3-0 with nine points. The game is at 8 p.m. at Porter and will be preceded by the 32-5A match at 6 p.m. between the Lady Vikings and Cowgirls.
“Whoever wins might be (considered) the best team in the district, so we just have to play (even) harder than what we’ve been playing and hopefully not get scored on,” Cuellar said. “We just want to continue playing the way we’re playing and try to get better.”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess.