By ROY HESS| THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD
As a senior in 2018, Kryssie Rivera enjoyed the kind of soccer season for the Pace Lady Vikings that made her an obvious choice as The Brownsville Herald’s Girls Soccer All-Metro Most Valuable Player.
Rivera consistently thrived on the field and led her team with 56 goals. It boosted her teammates, who were talented as well, and everyone shared in the squad’s success. Rivera finished her four-year varsity career with 127 goals and has signed to play soccer next school year at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley at the NCAA Division I level.
The Lady Vikings recorded their most successful season in 2018 with a 28-2-1 overall mark that included an undefeated District 32-5A championship with a 14-0 league record. There was also a trip to the third round of the Class 5A playoffs for the second straight year.
It was the kind of season other teams usually can only dream about. Yet, Pace’s standout scorer, who recently was voted the MVP in 32-5A, helped make it a reality.
“It means a lot to me to be recognized (as an MVP), especially because I’ve been working really hard and I’ve made sacrifices for the sport,” said Rivera, who also plays for the Dynamo Academy club team out of McAllen. “I’m really happy to be acknowledged for what I’ve been doing these past four years.
“I started playing soccer when I was like 5 years old,” she added. “I kept moving forward and eventually joined club teams and they’ve developed me into the player I am (in high school). I’ve been playing with the Dynamo since I was 11. Actually, I think I’ve learned responsibility and discipline playing soccer all this time while becoming a team captain.
“What stands out to me (about my high school soccer years) is the bond we’ve formed between each other. We get along super well. If we didn’t like each other inside or outside of the team, I don’t think we would have ever gone that far.”
Pace coach Jesus O. Villarreal said his star scorer has brought a variety of positives to the Lady Vikings during her time on the team. Rivera has played mostly at the forward position and also has spent time as a midfielder.
“Kryssie has shown a lot of talent since Day 1,” Villarreal said. “We quickly saw that we wanted the ball to pass by her (in our offense to give her chances to score). Ever since she came to Pace, it’s been an amazing ride. I’m pretty sure she’ll do well in the future (at UTRGV) because when she first started with us four years ago, she adapted to the team and the juniors and seniors back then saw that she was going to be able to contribute (as a freshman).
“Kryssie is more than just a finisher, she’s about everything as a player,” Villarreal added. “Yes, especially this year, Kryssie showed that she can finish plays. One of her skills is finishing, and she can also create (scoring opportunities for her teammates) because she moves all around the field and makes it hard for other teams to cover her.”
Rivera said playing at Pace has been a mutually beneficial and memorable experience.
“My (Pace) team has taught me a lot and maybe I’ve been able to teach them some things, too,” she said. “We’ve had some crazy bus rides. We always brought each other up and made what we accomplished a team effort. I’m very happy to be a Pace Viking. My teammates couldn’t have been any better. I’m very proud of them.”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess
The Brownsville Herald’s 2018 All-Metro Girls Soccer Team
MVP
Kryssie Rivera, Pace
Offensive Player of the Year
Samantha Bodden, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Defensive Player of the Year
Allison Spier, Los Fresnos
Utility Player of the Year
Alexis Guajardo, Pace
Newcomer of the Year
Brigitte Iglesias, Rivera
Coach of the Year
Peter A. Rodriguez, Rivera
First Team
Forwards — Priscila Cortinas, Porter; Sytlaly Loyde, Hanna
Midfielders — Gabby X. Mariscal, Los Fresnos; Alyssa Ayala,
Rivera; Alma Perez, Pace; Arianna Garcia, Pace
Defenders — Quetzali Cortez, Porter; Alexa Gutierrez, Los
Fresnos; Perla Briseno, Los Fresnos; Myrka Guevara, Rivera;
Goalkeeper — Jazul Amaya, Pace
Second Team
Forwards — Ashley Torres, Rivera; Myrka Garcia, Lopez
Midfielders — Kaylyn Maradiaga, Brownsville Veterans; Celia
Polsky, Port Isabel; Zaida Esquivel, Lopez; Lesly Pena, Rivera
Defenders — Yadira Dominguez, Pace; Carla Longoria, Porter;
Arely Guzman, Brownsville
Veterans; Angelina Castillo, Hanna
Goalkeeper — Abigail Mata, Hanna