HARLINGEN — As Harlingen South head coach Julian Robles put it: “It was a game of checkers.”
In the second of two games Robles and the Hawks made all the right moves and adjustments in the second half, as Harlingen South pulled out a 3-0 victory over crosstown rival Harlingen at Boggus Stadium Tuesday night.
“I was very glad to see that the boys can adjust to a number of game situations,” said Robles. “It was a very emotional game especially being the Bird Bowl because it’s always emotional. I think its going to help us out in the long run especially since some of our lettermen stepped up and did what they had to do.
“In this district these points mean a lot. It’s a tough district and right now we’re in a great position, and that’s what you have to do in this district, claw and scratch for points.”
After a scoreless first half, Harlingen South came on strong in the second.
Adrel Aparicio started the scoring when he got behind a loose ball in the box. Aparacio found himself in the right place to convert and put the Hawks on the board with 17 minutes left in the game.
But the scoring didn’t stop there. After some second-half adjustments, Nick Lerma was able to create some space for himself and fire a rocket from 25 yards out that caught 6-foot-8 goalkeeper Davis Eriksmoen by surprise. Ericksmoen was able to react and got on his knees to save the kick, but the ball managed to slip though his legs and into the back of the net.
With three minutes left in the contest, Selvin Garcia was able to calmly put away the final goal of the night.