By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
Priscila Cortinas’ soccer bloodlines run deep.
The Brownsville Herald’s All-Metro girlssoccer newcomer of the year for 2015 is not the first one in her family to shine on the soccer field, especially when it comes to scoring goals.
Cortinas, a freshman forward for the Porter Cowgirls, scored 27 goals this season. She is the younger sister of former Porter standouts Filiberto and Alan Cortinas. She is also the cousin of Alexis Anzures, a current member of the Porter boyssoccer squad who has scored his share of goals as well.
The standout freshman is proud to continue her family’s strong soccer tradition at Porter.
“I started playing soccer when I was, like, 7, and it feels good (to be doing as well as others in my family),” she said. “I’m the last one (after my two brothers). I’m the smaller one (in the family).”
Of Cortinas’ 27 goals, 18 of them came in District 32-5A competition, a feat that weighed heavily in her selection as the 32-5A MVP.
“It means a lot (to get these All-Metro and all-district awards) because I haven’t ever gotten something like that in my life,” she said. “I didn’t know I was going to get those awards.
“I met (Porter) Coach (Abraham) Gracia when I was in eighth grade, and he talked with me and everything, and said that I was a good player for the varsity team, so it wasn’t a surprise to me that I was able to do what I did,” she added. “I’m really happy I made it (and did well). I’d like to thank Coach Gracia for telling me a lot of things (about the game) and telling me I have the possibility to make it far.”
Gracia said Cortinas is a deserving recipient of her postseason honors.
“Priscila is a real good athlete, and one of the best things about her is she’s really coachable,” the Cowgirls coach said. “Surprised (she did well)? I thought it might be a little hard for her at first, but I thought she would be OK. At the beginning of our season (in January), she struggled a little bit because she was used to how it was in middle school, but after a little while, it was no problem for her at all.
“Her being a reliable scorer has helped us a lot,” Gracia added. “We haven’t had a real good scorer like that in a couple of years. Actually, we had five freshmen starting this year, including Priscila, plus one sophomore and two juniors, so we’re looking forward to the future.
“Priscila is reliable about coming to practice, she has an excellent attitude and she maintains good grades. We’re just glad to have her here. I hope we get some more players like her.”
Cortinas sees a bright future for girlssoccer at Porter.
“This season’s team was really a great team, but things happen for a reason (and we didn’t qualify for the playoffs),” she said. “Next year I believe we’re going to make it.”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess.