Crucial soccer tests continue as Hanna hosts Harlingen High
By ROY HESS
The Brownsville Herald
February 11, 2005 The same thought has undoubtedly crossed the minds of all eight coaches in District 32-5A boys soccer this season whatever you do, dont fall behind in the league race.
This year, the district has more than its share of strong soccer squads, which means teams find themselves in a must-win situation in just about every match.
Pace and Rivera are the early 32-5A frontrunners at 3-0, while Hanna, is alone at 2-1. After that comes a group of teams that has suffered at least two losses Harlingen High, Porter, San Benito, Los Fresnos and Harlingen South.
Tonights round of district games could create an even bigger disparity between the frontrunners and the rest of the teams chasing them.
Its under those circumstances that Hanna plays host to Harlingen High at 7:30 tonight, hoping to maintain its position close to the top in the 32-5A standings. Meanwhile, a Harlingen High team that lost its first two district games to Rivera and Pace will attempt to continue its momentum from Tuesday nights 3-1 triumph at Los Fresnos.
The way Hanna coach Juan de Dios Garcia sees it, neither the Eagles nor the Cardinals can afford a loss tonight.
"We have to come out with a win if we want to keep our playoff hopes alive," Garcia said. "Harlinen knows that it will be extremely difficult if they lose, so we are expecting a very hard game.
"Ive told our players that the playoff hunt begins on Friday," he added.
Hanna is coming off Tuesdays 3-2 win at Harlingen South. The Eagles are 10-3-3 on the season, while Harlingen High is 7-7-2 overall and 1-2 in district.
"Harlingen cant afford to get any more behind in the standings and neither can we," Garcia said. "(Harlingen High coach) Bobby Lucio won 19 games last year and missed the playoffs, and I dont want that to happen to me.
"This will be a key game for our dreams and goals (of making the playoffs)," he added. "My assistant coach reminded me (Tuesday) that we had seven sophomores on the field (against Harlingen South). Were young, but were trying to keep our playoff tradition alive. Its just difficult because everyone is tough in the district."
The Eagles found that out last Friday at Los Fresnos when they dropped a 4-3 match to the Falcons.
"You cant ever relax on any night, and I think thats what happened to us against Los Fresnos," Garcia added. "We have to concentrate on winning for all 80 minutes and then be disciplined if it goes into overtime. You cant relax against anyone."
In other 32-5A boys games at 7:30 tonight, its Los Fresnos at Porter, Pace at San Benito and Rivera at Harlingen South.
The same matchups at the same sites will be played in 32-5A girls soccer tonight only the games will start at 5:30.
In District 32-4A action tonight, the Lopez boys play host to Progreso and the Lopez girls travel to Progreso to face a Red Ants girls squad that is in its first season of UIL competition. Both matches start at 7:30.
