GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER
McAllen Rowe’s girls scored six goals in a shutout win against Brownsville Rivera on Friday, and five of them came from freshmen. Ashley Carlos had three while Emily Morin and Celeste Narbaez each had one for a Rowe team that starts five freshmen this season.
With Carlos at forward, Morin, Narbaez and Jewel Palomo in the midfield and Melida Flores on the back line, the freshman group has helped paved the way for Rowe to start 9-4-1 in non-district play.
“It took some time for them to get adjusted to the speed of the game, but it looks like they’re coming into form,” Rowe coach John Martinez said.
Martinez describes Carlos as a stocky, sneaky player who finds unconventional ways to score. He highlighted the play of Morin, a tall distributor on the right wing who has started to look for her scoring more as the season has progressed.
“She looks years above her skill level,” Martinez said. “She’s fast, conditioned, and she puts those crosses in the box. She’s had a few goals already this year. She stands out on the field.”
The Lady Warriors also have a veteran presence on the roster, including five seniors. All-district first-team player Nyssa Davila anchors the defense, along with fellow first-team pick Amaris Lopez in the midfield.
Victoria Castro returns at forward after earning all-district offensive player of the year last season. Martinez said Castro has missed about eight games in 2015 with a hamstring injury — one of as many as six starters Rowe was without during non-district play — but that she’s back at full strength.
“She’s a baller,” Martinez said. “She’s a threat. She’s the fastest one on the field. Great ball control, and she just has a knack for scoring goals.”
REBOUND YEAR
With a tournament title at the Gulf Coast Classic and a strong non-district slate already on his team’s resume, Weslaco East coach David Castro believes he has a group that can snap a two-year playoff drought.
The Wildcats finished last season just 3-9 — good for last place in District 31-6A.
“These kids have dedicated themselves to bring this program up to par,” Castro said. “They’re tired of not making the playoffs, and they want to do something special.”
Losing just one senior starter from last year, Castro boasts an experienced, cohesive group. Castro said the team will remain focused on defense first and hopefully find opportunities to counter attack off of that.
“We don’t have that superstar,” Castro said. “Every individual is a small little star that all together, we’re going to shine, and we’re going to shine bright.”
Senior captain Angel Alejos, a four-year varsity player in the center midfield, was named the MVP at the Gulf Coast Classic.
Castro said the ball will flow to Alejos on almost every Wildcats attack.
“His confidence is up this year,” Castro said. “He knows what’s expected, and I think his confidence is high. He’s always been the one kid that there’s always somebody above him, but now he’s the one, and he knows it.”
DISTRICT OPENER
Districts 32-6A and 32-5A for boys and girls started district play Tuesday, and the rest of the Valley will follow suit over the next week. Districts 30-6A and 31-5A get underway Friday, while District 31-6A opens Tuesday.
Boys Top 10
1. Brownsville Porter
2. Valley View
3. Sharyland High
4. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln
5. Brownsville Hanna
6. Brownsville Lopez
7. Sharyland Pioneer
8. Weslaco East
9. McAllen High
10. McAllen Memorial
Girls Top 10
1. Sharyland High
2. Sharyland Pioneer
3. Brownsville Lopez
4. Los Fresnos
5. Browsville Hanna
6. McAllen Memorial
7. Harlingen South
8. Edinburg Economedes
9. PSJA Southwest
10. McAllen High