By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
Tanya Prazelini’s senior season of soccer with the Los Fresnos Lady Falcons was one for the record books.
The Brownsville Herald’s 2017 All-Metro MVP scored 68 goals, which stands as the highest single-season total for a female high school player in the Rio Grande Valley.
The all-time single-season Valley record of 78 goals, which also is believed to be a state record, was set by Valley View’s Jose Angel “Torito” Soto in 2014.
Prazelini scored two or more goals in virtually every game in 2017 as the Lady Falcons won District 32-6A with a 14-0 record and completed the year 27-3 by reaching the regional tournament for the sixth time in eight seasons.
“I’m so happy how everything has turned out, especially after my injuries,” said Prazelini, who was the 32-6A MVP this season as well.
Prazelini came back to play this season after suffering serious injuries to her ankle and wrist as a sophomore in the third round of the 2015 state playoffs. She didn’t play as a junior, but returned to the Lady Falcons for a record-setting season as a senior.
“I never really expected to have this kind of season,” Prazelini said. “I thought I could maybe have a repeat of my (standout) sophomore season, but it turned out to be even better than that. I’m blessed, honestly.”
Also a participant in track, Prazelini said sitting out her junior season of soccer was difficult, but it was the right decision.
“It was hard during the waiting time (of recuperation), but I knew waiting was what I needed to do because I couldn’t rush things,” Prazelini said. “I didn’t want to rush it and get hurt again. I had to wait for the right time (to come back).”
Los Fresnos coach Patricia K. Hernandez has been there to watch Prazelini play since she was a starter as a freshman and was pleased to witness the senior forward’s remarkable return.
“Tanya is a fearless player,” Hernandez said. “It was amazing to watch her come back and pick up where she left off her sophomore season. She set a team and personal goal (to do well), and she succeeded at both.
“I’ve been fortunate to be part of Tanya’s high school soccer career and I know that she will make great things happen at Texas Lutheran University,” Hernandez added. “I know that this (dream of playing in college) is something she has been working hard for since her very first day as a Lady Falcon varsity soccer player.”
Becoming an All-Metro and all-district MVP provides an ideal ending to the standout senior’s high school athletic career, and there may be even more to come. She is also one of three candidates for All-Valley girls player of the year, an award to be announced in June.
“(By scoring 68 goals) I feel I’ve raised the standard higher for girls soccer in the Valley so girls can still get noticed by the colleges north of us,” Prazelini said. “When I started as a freshman my (personal) goal was to become an MVP. One of those years I knew I had to get MVP. I’m so happy it has happened my senior year because it’s a good way to end my time in high school and move on to college.
“It’s all because of my teammates,” she added. “They’ve given me the passes (to set up and score goals) and they’ve supported me through thick and thin. I’ve learned God puts obstacles in your way sometimes so that you can come back stronger.”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess
Brownsville Herald’s 2017 Girls All-Metro Soccer Team
MVP
Tanya Prazelini, Los Fresnos
Defensive Player of the Year
Michell Salinas, Lopez
Utility Player of the Year
Lizbeth Garcia, Porter
Newcomer of the Year
Ashley Torres, Rivera
Coach of the Year
Peter A. Rodriguez, Rivera
First Team
Forwards — Kryssie Rivera, Pace; Carla Gracia, Lopez
Midfielders — Clarissa “Claire” Castaneda, Los Fresnos; Gabby X. Mariscal, Los Fresnos; Alma Perez, Pace; Kathryn Bodden, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Defenders — Victoria “Tori” Morales, Brownsville Veterans Memorial; Hillary Pina, Hanna; Rubi Soto, Los Fresnos; Allison Spier, Los Fresnos
Goalkeeper — Anna Morales, Lopez
Second Team
Forwards — Priscila Cortinas, Porter; Samantha Bodden, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Midfielders — Alyssa Ayala, Rivera; Sytlaly Loyde, Hanna; Jennifer Martinez, Port Isabel; Jaky Olivares, Lopez
Defenders — Alexa Gutierrez, Los Fresnos; Viridiana Diaz, Rivera; Alexis Guajardo, Pace; Quetzali Cortez, Porter
Goalkeeper — Abigail Mata, Hanna