NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER
MISSION — The Valley View Tigers were pushed but never in danger during their bi-district matchup against the Donna North Chiefs on Saturday at Sharyland High’s Richard Thompson Stadium. The Tigers had plenty of chances and made good use of them for a 5-3 victory.
Even with a 10:30 a.m. kickoff at a neutral site on a holiday weekend, the Valley View faithful were out in numbers. Fans of both teams made the trip, but the Tigers band and inflatable mascot gave the feel of a home game, minus the blue turf.
Once the action started, the Tigers, who went 16-0 in District 31-5A play, quickly realized the first-round game would not be an easy win.
“It was a good start,” Mario De Los Santo said through an interpreter. “We knew the game was going to be challenging. We know they get the chance in their district to play the Brownsville teams every game. So we knew playing against them would be a taste of the third round, if we get by the second round.”
The teams exchanged goals in the opening 10 minutes.
First, Valley View’s Rogelio Saldivar was in excellent position to capitalize on a rebound that bounced left when Donna North keeper Jose Luis Mares Dorias could only parry De Los Santos’ initial blast.
North wasn’t ready to let Valley View pull away, pushing forward and eventually earning a penalty kick on a mistimed tackle. Eusebio Bazaldua was calm and collected as he scored on a low shot that found a spot in the bottom-right corner of the net past Valley View’s Elian Chavez.
“These kids have experienced these type of games before, where we are behind, and they never give up till the last minute,” Chiefs coach Andres Sanchez said. “Their strategy worked. They attacked us. We knew they were going to come at us. Unfortunately, our defense didn’t have a good day in the first half.”
After the equalizer, Valley View started to showcase the offensive skill that made the Tigers the Valley’s highest scoring boys team on the season.
Bryan Obregon scored from 30 yards on a shot that curved with pace and accuracy past the keeper and into the top corner of the net with 26:26 left in the half.
“It was a complicated game, since Donna North was really prepared for us,” Valley View’s Christopher Flores said through an interpreter. “They pressured really well, so they didn’t leave us those spaces we’re using to having to touch the ball, but we did score on the chances we had.”
Flores came through for the Tigers on the team’s next chance. Ricardo Mata sent a corner kick into the box, and Flores used his height to leap and head the ball into the net for a 3-1 lead.
“When we get possession of the ball, it’s more of our style,” Flores said. “As long as we have the ball and they don’t, we can score. So we try to make things happen with it.”
The last Tigers goal before the half came on a pass from Jorge Amaya to De Los Santos, who celebrated his birthday with a playoff strike off the post and in.
“It’s a good day. I had the motivation to score, because of the day,” De Los Santos said. “Hopefully, we score in the second and third round and beyond.”
North scored minutes before halftime to pull within two goals. The breakaway strike that curved past Chavez was the second of the day for Bazaldua.
The second half was a combination of the Chiefs trying to send offense forward and players on both sides falling victim to cramping and fatigue.
De Los Santos was one of the first to go down in need of assistance, and by the 20-minute mark of the period the referees mandated a quick water break.
For most of the half, the Chiefs couldn’t break the Tigers’ defense.
With 14:43 to play, Donna North’s keeper was called for a penalty while trying to charge a ball heading into the box. Amaya scored from the spot to extend the Valley View lead.
Donna North added a stellar goal off the left foot of Alejandro Flores with 20 seconds remaining.
Valley View advances to face Corpus Christi Calallen in the area round. The Wildcats are coming off a 7-0 win over San Antonio Harlandale in their bi-district game.
“It’s good for us to get this opportunity in order to think ahead,” Tigers coach Damian Mallagan said through an interpreter. “Our team, as well, has worked hard. We knew what we had to do.”