NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER
MISSION — The rematch between Sharyland High and Sharyland Pioneer in girls soccer was everything it was expected to be. The crosstown rivals at the front of the nine-team District 31-5A produced another instant classic in their final regular-season meeting of 2018, with Sharyland High prevailing 2-1 on penalty kicks on Tuesday at Sharyland Pioneer.
With four minutes to play in the game, Rattlers goalie Ana De La Torre’s strong effort appeared to be not enough to get the result. Her fingertip saves in the first half were important, but for the second time, the Diamondbacks played a strong defensive game limiting Sharyland’s Kaitie Watson.
With 4:15 to play and the Diamondbacks hanging on to a 1-0 lead, a foul was called on a Pioneer handball 30 feet from goal.
Everyone knew what was coming next: a great chance for Watson, the senior forward. No one in a white Pioneer uniform could do much about the perfect free kick.
Watson lined up, waited for the whistle and sent home a sailing, bending shot out of the reach of Pioneer keeper Yulissa Ocuna.
“I knew it was probably going to be the last solid chance we had in the game,” Watson said. “I felt pretty confident, because we had just practiced that free kick at practice, and I was hitting them all on point. I went over there confident, but watching it actually go into the net, I can’t even describe it. It was just an amazing feeling to know that I can do that for my team.”
Watson and fellow forward Xochitl Nguma were closely marked just like the first meeting, with strong play by Pioneer defenders. Olivia Vasquez and Cielo Bocanegra stood out, doing much of the heavy lifting for the Diamondbacks (11-2, 34 points) back line.
Sharyland (12-1, 36 pts) coach Mario Ribera gave credit to his counterpart for giving his offense such a hard time creating during their two meetings.
“I have to give credit to coach (J.J.) Lopez,” Ribera said. “The first half, they dominated. We didn’t have opportunities. Kaitie was well marked. Very fortunate for us, we had the free kick. Having Kaitie on the team is something special. She makes things happen.”
The first 40 minutes were almost exclusively positive for Pioneer. The Diamondbacks not only stifled the Rattlers offense but also passed the ball well and made De La Torre work in goal.
Just 10 minutes into the game, De La Torre dove to her left and threw up her left hand to barely keep a shot from Pioneer’s Lauren Guerra out of the net.
De La Torre also stayed poised midway through the first half, when a series of four corner kicks in quick succession were sent through the box. Her defense helped with a pair, but she had to intercept two fast-moving centers.
“The first half was very intense,” De La Torre said. “I feel like Pioneer had much more possession of the ball, and we were going against the wind, which is a big factor. If I make those saves, I don’t think of anything. It’s pure adrenaline.”
De La Torre was finally beat a minute into the second half after Jocelyn Boyle found Guerra alone in front of the goal. This time, Guerra wouldn’t be denied. The ball hit the post and went past De La Torre.
Late first-half fouls and injuries upped the intensity of the already tight contest, which led to plenty of fan reaction and stern talks from referees. The chippy play continued, but Sharyland’s push for a goal took center stage.
Pioneer almost scored a second goal with 15 minutes to play, but De La Torre bailed her team out twice on a pair of point-blank chances.
Sharyland continued to be frustrated offensively before earning the late free kick.
“It was really emotional, because we knew what we had to do,” Watson said. “We had to come out with a win, or a win in PKs, to be district champions. We came with the right mindset, and we were really excited after losing last time.”
Sharyland won the shootout by making all five of its attempts, while Pioneer’s Amanda Tyrrell shot her attempt over the crossbar.
The drama was palpable not only on the field but on the sidelines. Sharyland’s coach knew a win would put his team in the district’s driver’s seat with three games remaining.
“I couldn’t sleep last night,” Ribera said. “This is my first year here (at) Sharyland, and I’m extremely happy, being in a rivalry and also playing for first place.”