ALAMO —A good goalkeeper can make or break a soccer team during penalty kicks. Most teams are lucky to have one reliable goalie.
The PSJA Memorial Wolverines have the luxury of having two.
With the game on the line in a penalty shootout to open District 31-5A play, PSJA Memorial deployed both Omar Garcia and Esdras Rivera to alternate inside the box.
The duo combined for three saves and the Wolverines opened district play with a 5-4 victory in PKs against Sharyland High on Friday at PSJA Memorial Stadium in Alamo.
“Sometimes it is tough having both because they’re each very good,” PSJA Memorial head coach Javier Gonzalez said. “It makes it tough to select one over the other. I usually put one of them in the first half and the other in the second half. Sometimes I’ll keep one the whole game. It just depends on how the game is going. For penalties, Omar is usually my starter but during practice and when we’ve gone to penalties before Esdras always stands out and does what he needs to do.”
Garcia started in the box for the Wolverines, corralling the Rattlers first penalty attempt shot by Jose Sanchez. He came up with his second save during sudden death, forcing another round of PKs for both teams.
Rivera helped secure the victory with his save on a shot by Sharyland High’s Alex Jarvis, with PSJA Memorial’s Alexis Gomez netting the go-ahead goal moments later.
“We knew it was going to be a difficult game from the beginning,” Gonzalez said. “I was telling the kids we needed to start the season by at least getting some points. We were hoping for the win, of course, but taking points against this tough opponent is always a good way to start.”
PSJA Memorial opened the scoring during the 31st minute, with Jony Macias crossing a ball into the box to a streaking Jesus Flores. The Wolverines captain finished the play, tapping it in to the back of the net to make it 1-0.
Sharyland High tied the game during the second half on a goal by forward Alan Guerrero. The senior’s game-tying score was set up by a through pass from Edward Morales.
In penalties, the two teams traded misses, shooting eight attempts each before the Wolverines were able to seal the win.
The victory gives the Wolverines two points to start the season, earning one for the tie in regulation and another for the shootout win. The Rattlers open the season 0-0-1, earning one point for the tie.
“Picking up these points is super important,” Gonzalez said. “Like I told the kids, the most important thing is to get out with some points. This is only the beginning. I know it is going to be tough games every single week. Any points we can get, especially against very tough teams, we’ll take them. If it is one point or two points, and of course we always want the three, but two points is something to celebrate.”
The Wolverines turn their attention to a contest against the Valley View Tigers at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Tiger Stadium in Pharr. The Rattlers host the PSJA Southwest Javelinas at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Richard Thompson Stadium in Mission.