By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
Considering the Rivera Raiders are a soccer team that has qualified for state playoffs 23 times during the past 24 seasons, it’s wise to never count them out.
Despite repeated delays due to lightning, the Raiders overcame Mother Nature and Harlingen South 5-1 Friday at Sams Memorial Stadium to qualify for another trip to the postseason.
They took on South in a “play-in” game to determine the fourth-place playoff qualifier from District 32-6A.
Rivera, the Class 6A defending state champion, was leading 3-0 when the match was halted due to bad weather conditions with 9:39 left in the first half. After a stoppage of 1 hour, 52 minutes, the match resumed.
Rivera’s Eliezer “Chaii” Acero, a senior forward/midfielder, highlighted the victory by scoring three goals, including two during the first half that gave his team a 4-0 edge at intermission.
“I was shocked to score those goals,” Acero said. “I wasn’t really expecting to score three. But thanks to God, He put them at my feet.”
Added teammate Hernan Cruz, a fellow senior and team captain along with Acero, “There’s a feeling of excitement and relief to win this game.”
The Raiders and Hawks finished the 32-6A schedule tied with 23 points after Tuesday’s final night of district competition. Since they each had the same number of total goals (four) in their two head-to-head district games, Friday’s “play-in” match was required.
Acero gave Rivera a 1-0 lead on a 25-yard blast from the right side just eight minutes into the match. The ball came in high and rocketed past the goalkeeper, just making it under the crossbar.
It became 2-0 during the 16th minute when Rivera’s Jorge Morales dribbled the ball in close from the right side and centered it to teammate Manuel Espinoza, who promptly sent a strong shot into the net from close range.
Rivera’s third goal came during the 30th minute when Rivera’s Roberto Castro attacked from the left side after receiving a pass from Espinoza. The goalkeeper came out but was unable to cut off the attack. Castro broke free from the defenders around him for a moment and sent the ball into an open goal on the bounce to make it 3-0.
Barely one minute later the match was halted as lightning flashed across the sky. Rain also fell. Players and coaches were sent to their locker rooms and the spectators were instructed to take refuge under the stands.
Then action finally resumed, Acero sent another rocket of a shot into the goal, this time from 30 yards, with 7 1/2 minutes left until halftime to make it 4-0.
Acero added his third goal just six minutes into the second half and Rivera was on its way to victory with a 5-0 lead.
South’s Jose Lerma tallied off a corner kick taken from the left side to account for the Hawks’ lone goal. The score came with 15 minutes to play.
“I think this game was a big learning experience for us,” South coach Julian Robles said. “We’ve kind of got the part about playing in this district already down, but this part (of playing for a spot in the playoffs) is the part we need to learn from.
“Our players told me they were nervous, and I understood that,” Robles added. “I think our guys played there hearts out in the second half, and I’m proud of them. They showed character and pride, and that’s what we’re trying build in our program.”
The winner of Friday’s game is scheduled to play District 31-6A champion PSJA Memorial in the bi-district round of the 6A playoffs next week.