ROY HESS | Staff Writer
Another “Bird Bowl” in soccer is in the books with the Harlingen South boys and Harlingen High girls coming away with District 32-6A victories Tuesday night at the South Mini-Stadium.
The Lady Cardinals prevailed 2-1 and the Hawks triumphed by the same score.
It was one of the more important “Bird Bowls” of recent memory for the soccer boys because first place in 32-6A was on the line.
There is no doubt about it, the South boys are undergoing a resurgence since beginning the season in January with a rather so-so start.
Hawks coach Julian Robles said his players are motivated this season after missing the playoffs one year ago.
“Most of our players are returning from a rough season last year, and they learned a lot from that,” Robles said. “They have grown as a team and have worked hard together to get better. The leadership from our captains (seniors Jose Lerma, Angel Ortega and Eric Lopez Jr.) and hard work has been our foundation.”
Tuesday’s win came after the Cardinals led 1-0. South then added a pair of goals to make it 2-1 at intermission.
Ortega scored South’s first goal to tie it 1-1 on a set piece with an assist from Lerma.
Lerma then tallied his team’s second goal thanks to an assist by freshman Joaquin Ovalle.
The win gave the Hawks a 3-1 record with nine points in 32-6A. They are now in sole possession of first place as the first round of district comes to an end Friday.
“As far as being at the top of the district standings, we understand that it is hard to get there, and it is going to be even harder to stay up there,” Robles said. “We will need to put in the work at practice and stay focused on every practice and game. This district is still very tight right now, and at this point, anybody can be on top. Every district game is a battle since all the teams are very competitive.”
South closes the first round at Brownsville Hanna at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
VERY TIMELY WIN
Defeating the Lady Hawks 2-1 on Tuesday helped the Lady Cardinals snap a two-game losing streak.
Unlike the boys match, where all the goals were scored in the first half, all the goals were recorded during the second half for the girls.
The first Harlingen High goal was scored by Adelynn Herrera. The Lady Cardinals’ second tally came on a penalty kick by Alexa Gonzalez.
“This win gives us the boost that we needed,” Lady Cardinals coach Debra Galvan said. “It keeps us in the running for the playoffs.”
The Lady Cardinals close out the first round of district at 5:30 p.m. Friday at home against Brownsville Rivera.
The next “Bird Bowl” in soccer is scheduled March 8 at the Harlingen High Mini-Stadium during the second round of district.
32-6A UPDATE
Here are the current 32-6A boys standings: Harlingen South (3-1, nine points), Brownsville Rivera 2-2, six points), Harlingen High (2-2, six points), Los Fresnos (2-2, five points), San Benito (2-2, five points) and Brownsville Hanna (1-3, five points).
Here are the current 32-6A girls standings: Los Fresnos (4-0, 11 points), Hanna (3-1, nine points), Harlingen South (2-2, seven points), Harlingen High (2-2, six points), Rivera (1-3, three points) and San Benito (0-4, no points).