By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
The Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers just completed their best soccer season in school history with a 23-3-2 record, a District 32-5A championship and a first-ever trip to the Region IV-5A final.
Two key members of Chargers’ squad are top honorees on The Brownsville Herald’s 2017 All-Metro Boys Soccer Team. They are Defensive Player of the Year, Jesus Arenas, a senior, and Newcomer of the Year, Mark Boswell, a freshman.
“It’s a great thing (for them to receive these honors),” Chargers coach Alberto Vasquez said. “I know both of these players worked very hard and they really deserve it. To play in the district that we play in and to face the level of competition that we have to go against, these guys really stood out.”
Arenas, a three-year starter, was a central defender who anchored what was arguably the toughest defense to score on in 32-5A this season. The Chargers only gave up more than one goal in a game just three times over two and a half months once district started in late January. Also over that span, the Chargers recorded 10 shutouts, including three during their four playoff victories.
“All the hard work and effort that I put into the time I’ve played here was well worth it,” said Arenas, also the defensive MVP in 32-5A in 2017. “I feel this was my best season and I’m pretty content with it.
“We were successful because of the union we had among each other on the field,” added Arenas, who hopes to play soccer in college. “Everyone gave a strong effort and helped us do well. I would just say thank you to my teammates, the coaches and everyone who has helped me.”
Vasquez described Arenas as “The Rock” for his squad who was a solid defender playing the ball in the air or on the ground while displaying leadership and creativity from the back in helping a good team become a great team.
The Chargers coach said Boswell, a midfield wing/forward, had a tough start by suffering a wrist injury the second week of the season at the Brownsville ISD Tournament.
“Marky was hungry to come back, and as soon as he could really come out and play (after having recuperated), he showed what he is all about and how talented he is,” Vasquez said. “He had the speed to help us break down those tough defenses we went against.
“I think the big difference with him is the confidence he has in his abilities,” Vasquez added. “He’s not shy about taking on defenders and beating them. Sometimes you have players who are talented, but for whatever reason, they doubt themselves. Marky has the confidence. Even though he can run past defenders, he also understands soccer as a team game. He can either dish off the ball real quick or keep it and take on the defender himself. He makes it a lot more difficult for the defense.”
Boswell came to Brownsville Veterans for his freshman year after playing for the successful Brownsville Galaxy under-14 youth league team during the summer. Brownsville Veterans now has won the All-Metro Newcomer Of The Year award two straight seasons. Chargers teammate Garret Wild, a goalkeeper and now a junior, won it in 2016.
“I knew (coming to the Chargers) that nothing was going to be easy and that I would have to work for it,” said Boswell, who estimates he scored six or so goals this year. “I didn’t play for half a season because of my wrist injury. Once I came back, I didn’t want to hold back anything. I wanted to play every game like it was my last.
“It’s definitely motivation (to receive this recognition),” he added. “It’s incredible and it’s an amazing feeling. I’m grateful for it.”
Vasquez said with players such as Boswell and other underclassmen returning, this season has served as a milestone and motivation for the future.
“It was a season we’re never going to forget,” the coach said. “It’s as simple as that. We were so close to getting to the next level (by going to state). We had a great group of players. Even though our last game didn’t go our way (a 1-0 loss to Lopez in the regional final), it wasn’t due to a lack of effort. I didn’t feel bad that we had lost because our players had done everything we asked them to do and left it all out there.
“I think every year our program has been respected more and more, and I believe every year we’ve taken steps forward,” he added. “We’re not thinking we’ll be rebuilding (in 2018). We’ll have a young team, but it will be a solid, capable team. Our guys understand what we’re trying to do, and if we’re consistent with our game plans, our structure, our formations and everyone’s individual responsibilities, I think we’ll be just fine.”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess