Brownsville teams’ showing in BISD Tournament not all that disappointing

The first weekend of high school soccer is complete, and there were some interesting tournament results.

La Joya and McAllen High looked impressive in reaching the championship match of the Brownsville ISD Boys Tournament. La Joya’s 2-0 victory over the Bulldogs in Saturday’s final showed that the defending District 30-5A champion Coyotes will be tough again this season.

And actually, while the District 32-5A boys race is always very close with the five Brownsville teams plus San Benito, Los Fresnos and Weslaco High all vying for four available playoff spots, 30-5A should be equally as competitive, and maybe even a little bit more (if that’s possible) with McAllen Rowe, Sharyland and McAllen Memorial figuring into the mix along with La Joya and McHi. Rio Grande City and Donna could surprise, too.

Also Saturday, Hidalgo rallied to edge Laredo LBJ 2-1 for third place.

The Brownsville teams weren’t all that disappointed by not qualifying for the BISD Tournament’s final four. Their main objective for the tournament was to play as many games as they could and to get as many players as possible some playing experience.

Typical of the Brownsville teams’ approach to the tournament was Porter using all reserve players except for one starter in its 2-0 consolation championship victory over Harlingen High. According to their coaches, Brownsville teams prefer to start the season slowly and steadily build momentum by the time district starts later this month.

The PSJA Memorial boys won the Cats Tournament in Edinburg on Saturday by defeating Laredo Alexander 2-1 on penalty kicks (4-3) in the final.

Most, if not all, of the Rio Grande Valley’s top boys teams will be playing in McAllen’s Pat Leal Tournament this week, so let’s see what happens there.

PACE GIRLS SHINE

The Viqueens got off to a strong season start at the McAllen ISD Open Tournament by going 4-0 and earning the championship with a 1-0 victory over Los Fresnos in Saturday’s title match. Pace’s Karla Lozano was named MVP and teammates Bianca Delgado, Meleny Delgado and Vanessa Sanchez earned all-tournament honors.

The Viqueens now will enter this week’s BISD Girls Tournament as one of the teams to watch.

Also Saturday, in the invitational portion of the MISD Tournament, McHi edged Harlingen South 1-0 in the title match.

SOME UNUSUAL NUMBERS

Roma and Mercedes players sported some rarely seen jersey numbers in the BISD Tournament.

Not long ago, Raul Sanchez of Roma asked for and received jersey No. 100 from Gladiator coach Joe Cortez. Sanchez wore his triple-digit jersey in the BISD Tournament. It is the number worn by Mexican soccer star Bofo Bautista.

For Mercedes, Juan Castañeda wore No. 73 and teammate Luis Perez No. 58. Castañeda, a freshman, had wanted to wear No. 10 this season, but since it was already taken by an upperclassman, he chose No. 73 because the two digits added together equal 10. Perez wore No. 58 because it is the number previously worn by current Santos coach Daniel Guzman.

WELCOME BACK, NESTOR

Nestor Rodriguez was back on the field for the Pace Vikings in the BISD Tournament. The former standout midfielder missed all of last year with a serious leg injury. At this point so early in the season, Rodriguez is just trying to return to his previous level of play. Here’s hoping Nestor makes it back 100 percent.