Vela wins, improves to 2-0 in district
Edinburg Vela jumped out to a 3-0 lead during the first half and claimed a 3-2 victory over McAllen Memorial on Tuesday in Edinburg.
Vela, in its first year in the powerful District 31-5A, improves to 2-0 in district play while McAllen Memorial falls to 1-1.
The SaberCats, who beat PSJA Southwest 13-0 in the district opener, return to action at 6 p.m. Friday at home against another predicted playoff contender in Sharyland High. The Rattlers defeated PSJA Southwest on Tuesday to improve to 2-0.
Senior Alayna Rodriguez scored twice, giving her seven goals in the first two district games, and fellow classmate Mia Ponce scored the other goal for the SaberCats.
“It was a very tough, a very good game,” Vela head coach Americo Cortez said. “We created a lot of times to score and missed a lot of opportunities. We were up 3-0, and I think we relaxed a lot.”
Memorial, which opened the district with a 4-0 win over PSJA North, falls to 1-1 and plays at 6 p.m. Friday at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium against McAllen High.
“(Memorial) started putting long balls and we made several mistakes, but the teams created so many good plays. Memorial is a very good team and we knew it was going to be a battle, and that’s what every night in this district is like.
“But our girls played always with the intention to attack.”
Chloey Mejia scored the first goal for Memorial on an assist from Jasmine Olivas and Jade Arredondo pulled the Mustangs to within one on an unassisted goal.
Edinburg Vela opened a 3-0 lead during the first half and won 3-2.
McALLEN ROWE 3, SHARYLAND PIONEER 0
In McAllen, Camila Gil, Ayloni Garcia and Mia Mata each knocked in a goal as the Warriors improved to 2-0 in District 31-5A with a shutout of the Diamondbacks.
Gil and Mata have both scored in the first two district games for Rowe.
Rowe led 1-0 at the half. Rowe travels to PSJA Memorial on Friday while Sharyland Pioneer hosts PSJA North. Both games start at 6 p.m.
McALLEN HIGH 9, PSJA NORTH 1
In Pharr, Milan Diaz scored five goals and McHi jumped to a 6-1 lead before claiming a 9-1 win, bouncing back from an opening district loss to McAllen Rowe. Julianna Millin scored two times, and Haley Nixon and Maisen Dubrule each found the back of the net once each for the Bulldogs. McHi hosts city rival McAllen Memorial at 6 p.m. Friday while PSJA North travels to Sharyland Pioneer at 6 p.m. Friday in search of its first district win.
PSJA MEMORIAL 2, VALLEY VIEW 0
In Pharr, Victoria Esparza and Miranda Jimenez each scored as the Wolverines improved to 1-1 in District 31-5A play following a 1-0 loss to Sharyland High to open district.
PSJA Memorial hosts McAllen Rowe at 6 p.m. Friday while Valley View travels to PSJA Southwest, also at 6 p.m. Friday, with both teams looking for their first district win.