BY GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER
Midway through his freshman season last year, Weslaco East’s Jose Chavez was called up from JV to varsity. He was one of a number of freshman players coach David Castro had to move up during the season, as his team was struggling with eligibility issues.
Those issues and the team’s resulting youth were a big reason Weslaco East finished just 5-11 in district play — the first time in eight seasons the Wildcats failed to make the playoffs. But it’s also a big reason expectations are high for this year’s Weslaco East team, which returns a strong nucleus of players, including Chavez as a sophomore captain.
“That kid is solid on defense. He’s been working really hard,” Castro said. “He’s picked it up a notch this year. We saw some really good things.”
Castro feared that nerves would be a factor for the young players who were called up last season, but admits to being pleasantly surprised by their play.
The Wildcats didn’t get off to the strongest start this year, going 2-3 in the Mission Tournament and 2-1 in the Gulf Coast Classic, ending both tournaments in the group stages. But Castro said they were playing without a few players who have since returned to the lineup, and that the team is stronger now than it was then.
The Wildcats “expect to do really well” this year, Castro said, because of increased team chemistry. He also highlighted the play of Chavez at stopper, Saul Sauceda at sweeper, Angel Alejos in the midfield and Hector Martinez up front.
The group achieved perhaps its best result of the season on Tuesday, using a defense-first approach to play to a 1-1 draw against a highly regarded Valley View team.
“Our philosophy has always been that we’re going to defend,” Castro said. “We’re going to try to deny you. We’re going to try to limit space. And hopefully you make a mistake, and then we counter attack on your mistake.”
CHANGING STYLE
With last year’s leading scorer Diana Cobarrubias lost to graduation, the Edinburg Economedes girls soccer team has switched to a more team-oriented, defense-first style of play.
The switch is already paying early dividends for the Jaguars, who made a run to the semifinals of the Border Olympics in Laredo, reached the finals of the Brownsville Tournament and picked up two more wins last week: 1-0 over Edinburg Vela and 6-0 over Brownsville Pace.
“Last year, since we had Diana, we would give Diana the ball,” coach Robert Garcia said. “We let her go 1 on 1, and she can score. This year, since we don’t have that player, we turned to be more team oriented now. A lot of movement and passing.”
Garcia said Economedes returns the majority of the players from last year’s team, which went 11-5 in district to earn a playoff berth. He said speed is the biggest key to the Jaguars’ strong defense, which is bolstered by Carolina Pardo and Maritza Guzman. Sofia Hernandez, Krysta Armstrong and Ayssa Ozuna have been the biggest contributors on offense.
“Hopefully we’ll compete for district,” Garcia said. “Hopefully that can happen. We’ll see how it goes.”
DEFENSE FIRST
After a position change and one key return, the Edinburg North girls soccer team has developed into a strong defensive unit.
Nikki Jo Rodriguez is back at goalie for her junior season after taking her sophomore year to focus on basketball, which has allowed Sarah Whitesides to move from goalie to sweeper.
“They’re two great athletes,” coach Daniel Valdez said. “That’s helped the defense a lot.”
On offense, the Cougars have a number of returning pieces, including Gloria Gutierrez, Itzamar Rios, Anna Rios and Laura Torres. North has also been bolstered by a pair of freshmen who are already contributing: Beth Ramos and Arianna Vacio.
Melanie Moreno is working up front back after playing defense last season, and Valdez cited her as one of the team’s most improved players.
All together, Valdez believes the Cougars will be contenders in District 31-6A.
“I really think we have one of the stronger teams in district,” Valdez said. “I feel real good. I think it’s going to be between Economedes and us. I hope I’m not jinxing it.”
Boys Top 10
1. Brownsville Rivera
2. Valley View
3. Brownsville Porter
4. Brownsville Lopez
5. Edinburg North
6. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln
7. La Joya Palmview
8. Brownsville Hanna
9. Sharyland High
10. Edinburg Vela
Girls Top 10
1. Los Fresnos
2. McAllen Memorial
3. Harlingen South
4. Sharyland High
5. Edinburg Economedes
6. Brownsville Hanna
7. Brownsville Rivera
8. Edinburg North
9. Sharyland Pioneer
10. McAllen High