BY KEVIN NARRO | SPECIAL TO THE MONITOR
PHARR — After a sluggish start, PSJA High used sound play and timely goals to pick up a 2-0 shutout win over rival PSJA Southwest on Friday night.
The win extended the Bears’ winning streak to five games.
“Tonight, we came out hungry, and our boys wanted this game, and it showed,” PSJA High coach Jesus Ochoa said. “It’s been a bit of everything. This is my first year here, and these kids believe in me. In these past five games, all the credit goes to the kids. I just give them the tools they need, and they execute.”
The game was quite a turnaround for the Bears, who were facing the Javelinas for the second time. In the teams’ first meeting, PSJA Southwest blanked PSJA High 4-0, dropping PSJA High to 0-2 in district play.
The Bears (14-6-2, 5-2) have now won five straight and are in a healthy position for the postseason.
PSJA High’s Jose Avila knocked in the first goal of the night with 4:06 left in the first half. Juan Garcia put the game on ice early in the second half.
“This is the first time I’m able to beat PSJA Southwest,” Garcia said. “In my four years, it’s never happened. Our defense adjusted in the second half. They came out aggressive, but we managed to get another goal, and pick up another win.”
Despite the loss, PSJA Southwest (15-6, 6-2) still sits atop the District 31-6A standings midway through the season.