2016 HSSM April Issue

April 28, 2016

Soccer Playoff Highlights

Class 5A State Soccer Champions

PORTER COWBOYS

WIN!

>Girls Soccer Results >All-State Soccer Team >On The Sidelines

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Red Ant Nation!

Cristian Chavez lifts Rogelio Zamora, both from Progreso HS after their win over Argyle HS in the Class 4A State Soccer Semifinals.

(HSSMIMages/Alec Amador)

High School Sports Magazine/April 28, 2016

04 Shootout

Porter Wins

16 Soccer

Lopez Lobos

Brownsville Porter claims second state title in Class 5A in shootout.

Brownsville Lopez hoped for second title in school history.

12 Soccer

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Progreso march into their first UIL State 4A Finals after come-back win.

La Joya Juarez-Lincoln advances to its third State 6A Region IV quarterfinals.

21 OnThe

27 Soccer

High School Coaches show their coaching reactions on gamedays. HSSM captures the moment.

Here are the UIL Boys Soccer Playoff scores and results from Region IV.

Soccer

Red Ants Win Huskies

Sidelines

27

Scores

HSSM

with Tddave

April 28, 2016

Soccer Playoff Highlights

Playing for Glory. Area soccer teams show their faith on game days.

28 HSSM All-State

RGV boys soccer team named to UIL All-State Soccer teams.

Founded in 1995

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Class 5A State Soccer Champions

PORTER COWBOYS

WIN!

>Girls Soccer Results >All-State Soccer Team >On The Sidelines

OnTheCover

Brownsville Porter HS Soccer Players Celebrate their 2nd State Title.

For more on UIL State Playoffs For more on UIL State Playoffs

High School Sports Magazine

Porter Cowboys Defeats Frisco Wakela

5A Shootout W

High School Magazine/March High School SportsSports Magazine/April 28, 201628, 2016 36

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Birklebach Stadium- Georgetown, Texas.

State Champs

Road To Final Four

Three Teams Set their Sights On Winning State 4A, 5A, 6A, UIL Soccer Titles Only One Won. How Bout’ Them Cowboys!

By David A. Amador

Photograph by Alec Amador for HSSM

Team Opponents

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HSSM Sportswriter

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UIL SOCCER PLAYOFFS

Win!

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and

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UIL State 5A Semifinals Special Section

Brownsville Porter High School became the first Rio Grande Valley school to win two UIL state soccer titles in school history.

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High School Sports Magazine

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Team Roster

TWO-TIME STATE CHAMPIONS! The Brownsville Porter Cowboys won their second state title in school history in Class 5A.

hen it rains, it pours.

The Brownsville Porter Cowboys defeated Frisco Wakeland HS in a shootout 10-9 to win its second University Interscholastic League State 5A Soccer title since 2006 at Birklebach Stadium in Georgetown, Texas. “I told our players to bring their umbrellas because if it rains, it would be a sign that we will win the state title,” says head coach Jose Espitia. And it did start to rain on that day.

Both teams finished in a 2-2 tie after two periods of overtime, setting up the shootout round. Again, both teams showed their “never’die” spirit and ended the first shootout, tied 5-5. In sudden death, Porter’s Ricardo Vidal found the opening as he swept his shot past goalie, Daniel Patrick to make it 5-4 in sudden death. Still, Frisco (25-1-1) had a chance to tie the

For more on UIL State Playoffs

The Road to the UIL State Title!

Drenched! Brownsville Porter HS head soccer coach Jose Espitia won his first State 5A Soccer title with a shootout win over Frisco Wakeland.

UIL State 5A Boys Soccer Tournament April 16, 2016

(HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

Georgetown, Texas Birkelbach Field

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Congratulations UIL State 5A Semifinalist!

6 High School Sports Magazine/April 28, 2016

The Road to the UIL State Title!

match but Wakeland’s Nick Mueller watched his shot to goal take off high and hit the right corner of the goal post. With the win, Porter matched last year’s State 6A champions record of 28-0-1, Brownsville Rivera High School. The Raiders went perfect at 28-0. “I told our players to believe in what they could do,” says Espitia.

“Even after we were tied by Frisco late in the game, I just told our players to keep playing hard.” The Cowboys, making their fourth state tournament appearance (1984, 2006*, 2011, 2016*) scored first on a goal by Alexis Armendariz at the 16:18 mark in the first half to make it 1-0 over Wakeland. Colin Flores was accessed a yellow card a few minutes later to end the half. Wakeland HS managed to score early in the second half to make it 1-1 on a head goal by Harris Partain.

Believe! The Brownsville Porter Cowboys soccer team unleashed their umbrellas and hoped for a miracle during their shootout against Frsico Wakeland HS at Birkelbach Stadium in Georgetown, Texas. (Left photo) Porter’s Alexis Anzures goes up against Frisco Wakeland’s Matt Ribble in the UIL State 5A Soccer Finals. The Cowboys won their second title in school history. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

“

I told our team to believe in what they could do...

“

Jose Espitia-Porter H.S. Head Coach

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Ricardo Vidal from Brownsville Porter gets a shot off against Frisco Wakeland’s Colin Flores during the 5A State Soccer Championships in Georgetown, Texas. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

At 71:41 mark, Armendariz scored again on a goal intercepted, almost assuring the Porter fans of victory. Wakeland woke up and scored with less than two minutes to play to tie the game at 2-2 all. A goal from 18-yards out by Partain sent the home side chanting on their feets from the stands, “Wakeland! Wakeland!” Porter had seven shots to goal and

High School Sports Magazine/April 28, 2016

kept Frisco’s Cody Sedatole throughout the day. “I can’t believe we did this, said Armendariz. “We won today.” He was the named the Class 5A Most Valuable Player.

The chants of “USA! USA!” by the Frisco Wakeland fans at Saturday’s UIL soccer championship game came alive after tying the game

The Road to the UIL State Title!

5A State Champions! Brownsville Porter midfielder Marco Don Juan is wrapped up with Frisco Wakeland midfielder Hector Duron at the UIL State 5A Boys Soccer Finals at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown, Texas.

(HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

at 2-2. Porter’s fans responded by chanting “USA! USA!” and this sent the Cowboys raising their the arms high. Porter head coach Jose Espitia said that, “It was motivation for us,” Espitia said. “We live in the United States, too. We love the United States.” Porter, a school that is predominantly Hispanic, earned the Class 5A title with a dramatic 3-2 win over

Wakeland in a tiebreaker shootout at Georgetown ISD Athletic Complex.

Frisco ISD athletic director David Kuykendall and soccer coach Rusty Oglesby said the fans have chanted it at multiple games and at multiple sports. “It’s just what some of the students like to do,” they said. “Porter is great soccer team. They deserve to be champions,” said Oglesby.

EARLY VOTING May 16-May 20 Election Day Tuesday, May 24th High School Sports Magazine

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Praying for a Miracle! Brownsville Porter HS midfielder Omar Estrada prays as the shootout begins in sudden death against Frisco Wakeland in the Class 5A State Soccer Finals. (Middle photo) Alexis Anzures goes up against Wakeland on a head shot while Uriel Sepulveda gets tripped during the game. (Bottom photo) Frisco Wakeland HS Hector Duron sees ball slip past a Porter defender.

(HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

High School Sports Magazine/April 28, 2016

The Road to the UIL State Tournament

High School Sports Magazine

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The Road to the UIL State Tournament

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UIL SOCCER

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Oh, So Close The Progreso Red Ants advanced to the UIL State 4A Soccer Tournament for the first time in school history. They almost made history too...

(Georgetown, Texas)-The Progreso Red Ants boys soccer team (22-6-2) traveled almost 400 miles to play in a town when most, if all, Progreso Red Ant soccer players had never been too. Much less, visited. The place? Georgetown, Texas. Site of the 2016 University Interscholastic League’s State Soccer Tournament. Head coach Margarito Jimenez, who has coached the Red Ants soccer teams for 19 years was excited, but, still, he knew he had some unfinished business. “We believe that we can win the state title,” said Jimenez. “We are here (Birkelbach Stadium) and our players just want to play to win.”

In the State 4A Soccer playoffs, the Red Ants defeated Praying for a Miracle. Progreso HS goalie, Oziel Jaramillo takes a moment during their UIL State 4A Soccer Championship game against Palestine HS. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

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Zapata High School 5-0 and the string of shut outs continued against Rockport-Fulton (4-0) in the area championships followed by a win over La Vernia (5-0) in the regional quarterfinals. For the first time in school history, the Red Ants had made their way to the Region IV-4A Soccer Tournament at host site, McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The three-time District 32-4A champions met Gonzales HS in the semifinals and easily disposed of the 26-4A Apaches 8-1. The Red Ants stood just one win away from advancing to the state soccer tournament despite all the challenges this community of less than 3,000 has been dealt with for the past two years.

The Progreso school district is fighting a legal battle as the current board of trustees attempts to block the Texas Education Agency from instituting a state-run board of managers. Politicis. Something that Jimenez stays away from as a coach. Several past Progreso school board members were cited with wrongdoings which involved corruption and bribery charges dating back to 2013 involving four members of the influ-

The Road to the UIL State Tournament

Thanks Coach. Progreso HS head soccer coach Margarito Jimenez hugs his player, Juan Puentes after their loss against Palestine HS in the UIL State 4A Championships at Georgetown, Texas. Bottom photo is Rogelio Zamora holding the UIL State Finalist trophy.

(HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

ential Vela family. “We are a proud community and it’s because of our fans we succeed,” said Progreso HS soccer coach, Jimenez. Progreso ISD Superintendent Martin Cuellar agrees. “These players did their best against all odds.”

In the UIL State 4A Regional finals, Progreso found themeselves trailing Giddings HS but the Red Ants charged right back to score two goals late in the game to win. Jimenez started running and hugging his team

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The Road to the UIL State Tournament

2016 UIL State Boys Soccer Championships Box Scores Summary

Class 4A State Championships Palestine defeats Progreso in SO SHOOTOUT RESULTS: Progreso: 5/Y 10/Y 17/Y 22/N 18/N Palestine: 23/Y 5/Y 10/Y 17/GWG Shootout tied at 3 Win-Gierkey, Bennett. Loss-Jaramillo, Oziel.

Stadium: Birkelbach Field Officials: Referee: Rosendo Mendoza; Asst.

Referee: Eric Phelps; Joseph Jeffers; Alt. Official: Natalie Smadi; Timekeeper: Scott Coppedge; Scorer: Taylor Brasher; Offsides: Progreso 3, Palestine 0.

2016 UIL Soccer State Championships Class 4A Boys Final CHAMPIONS - PALESTINE (4-3 on PK’s) MVP - #1 GIERKEY, B. PROGRESSO: 5-Make, 10-Make, 17-Make, 22-Miss, 18-Miss PALESTINE: 23-Make, 5-Make, 10-Make, 17-Make, N/A

Goals by Period

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Class 5A State Championships Porter Defeats Frisco Wakeland SHOOTOUT RESULTS Brownsville Porter: 11/Y 12/Y 6/Y 7/Y 8/Y 14/Y 4/Y 21/Y 17/Y 13/GWG Frisco Wakeland: 9/Y 14/Y 6/Y 19/Y 2/Y 8/Y 13/Y 5/Y 17/Y 10/N Shootout tied at 9

At the UIL State 4A Championships, Cristian Chavez (top photo) dribbles past a defender while Jordi Gaytan makes a head shot.

(HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

as they celebrated their historic victory.

The march into Birklebach Stadium in Georgetown, Texas on that Wednesday afternoon, left the Red Ant team in awe, staring into stands, as their fans cheered them on. Against Argyle HS, the Red Ants won 3-2 in overtime. Both teams jumped out to early scores in the first half and ended the regulation time, tied at 2-2.

In the first overtime, Christian Chavez scored the shot that could be heard all the way back to this southern community, next to the Mexican border walls, sending cheers amongst the players. Afterall, the Red Ants were headed to its first State 4A Boys Soccer Championship game.

Win-Rios, Mario. Loss-Sedatole, Cody.

Stadium: Birkelbach Field Officials: Referee: Mike Arrington; Asst.

Referee: Tyler Sams; Joseph Jeffers; Alt. Official: Alex Cantu; Timekeeper: Scott Coppedge; Scorer: Taylor Brasher; Offsides: Brownsville Porter 1, Frisco Wakeland 2.

2016 UIL Soccer State Championships - Class 5A Boys Final CLASS 5A BOYS CHAMPIONS - BROWNSVILLE PORTER (10-9 on PK’s) MVP: #7 Alexis Armendariz

Goals by Period

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Class 6A State Championships Lake Travis Defeats Lopez 1.

2:48 LAKETRAV Thompson, Luke (1) (unassisted) 2.

28:29 LAKETRAV Ahmadian, Bijan (1) Stoudemire, Jack header off free kick into goal area 3.

69:21 LOPEZ Cazares, Benito (1) Vera, German header off free kick into goal area CAUTIONS AND EJECTIONS LOPEZ #7 Echevarria, Jose Yellow card 21:39 LAKETRAV #9 Mitre, Marcelo Yellow card 42:32 LAKETRAV #7 Thompson, Luke Yellow card 69:21 Win-Daves, Chris. Loss-Flores, Andrew.

Stadium: Birkelbach Field Officials: Referee: Jesse McNeil; Asst. Referee: Phil Ochsner; Christa McCurley; Alt. Official: Joseph Jeffers; Timekeeper: Scott Coppedge; Scorer: Taylor Brasher; Offsides: Brownsville Lopez 1, Austin Lake Travis 4.

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High School Sports Magazine

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The Road to the UIL State Title!

Lopez Down...

Austin Lake Travis Denies Brownsville Lopez Second State Title Since 2004 in the State 6A Semifinals...

(Georgetown,Texas)-Making its first appearance at the University Interscholastic League’s State 6A Soccer tournament, Austin Lake Travis (25-1-0) took control early with two quick goals and never looked back as they defeated Brownsville Lopez (21-2-1) 2-1 on Friday night at Birklebach Stadium in the state semifinals. With the win, the Cavs advanced to play top-ranked Coppell for the state championship Saturday at 6:30 p.m at Georgetown’s Birkelbach Field. In the championship game, Coppell won 6-1. “It was really stressful and nerve-wracking, to be honest, but I had faith that we were going to get the win,” Lake Travis midfielder Bijan Ahmadian said. “It was a little bit of a scare; it took a team effort to get this win.”

At the UIL State 4A Championships, Cristian Chavez (top photo) dribbles past a defender while Jordi Gaytan makes a head shot.

(HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

High School Sports Magazine/April 28, 2016

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Edcouch-Elsa High School Principal Miguel Castillo

Congratulations teams!

Edcouch-Elsa ISD Superintendent Dr. Richard Rivera

Edcouch-Elsa ISD Athletic Director Christian Navarro Edcouch-Elsa HS Athletic Coordinator Joe Marichalar

>32-5A Boys Baseball Playoff Qualifiers >32-5A Boys Golf Champions >32-5A Girls Golf Runner-ups >5A Bi-District Girls Soccer Finalist

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High School Sports Magazine/February 26, 2016

UIL SOCCER

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Huskies Again

The Playoffs. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln Huskies Gerardo Reyes (19) jumps up against Brownsville Lopez in the Class 6A Region IV Quarterfinals.

(HSSMIMages/Tddave)

La Joya Juarez-Lincoln Falls to Brownville Lopez Lobos

(La Joya, Texas)-The La Joya Juarez-Lincoln Huskies bid for a University Interscholastic League State 6A Soccer title fell short again when they lost to Brownsville Lopez High School 2-1 in the regional quarterfinals. The Huskies posted first round wins over Laredo United 3-0, and then shutout last year’s State 6A Soccer champions, Brownvsille Rivera 3-0. The Huskies drew back-to-back second and third round home-field advantages at La Joya ISD Stadium.

Against Brownsville Lopez, head coach Victor Ramos watched his team surrender two unanswered goals during a three-minute stretch, questioning the officiating that led to seven Juarez-Lincoln infractions, including six yellow cards.

“It was just bad refereeing,” Ramos said. “It’s frustrating.”

Juarez-Lincoln defeated Brownsville Rivera, last year’s state champions, on Friday to advance to the third round of the playoffs. The Huskies only goal came with 27:06 left to play, after the Lobos scored two unanswered, when Didier Sanchez scored to make it 2-1. Quick goals by Lopez’s Ernest Pulido broke a scoreless tie with 36:01 remaining, followed

by Jose Echavarria’s goal with 33:21 remaining.

With the win, the Lopez Lobos advanced to the UIL State 6A-Region IV Tournament. Against Shertz-Clemens, the Lobos won 3-2 to advance to the state tournament. “We were so close again,” said Ramos. “We were so close.”

“It was just tough to score,” Ramos said. “We had the chances,” says Ramos. Yet, he still blamed the referees for their poor calling throughout the match. The Huskies lost to Brownsville Rivera last year in the quarterfinals 2-1. The Raiders went on to win the UIL State 6A Soccer title. “We keep playing teams that end up in the state tournament,” says Ramos.

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HSSM State Soccer Playoffs

The Playoffs. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln Huskies Cesar Mata gets a shoot off to goal against the 2015 State 6A defending champions, Brownsville Rivera Raiders in the second round of the 6A State Area Championships.

(HSSMIMages/Tddave)

High School Sports Magazine/April 28, 2016

Sidelines

Jose Espitia

Porter HS

Eliseo Pompa

McAllen HS

Margarito Jimenez

Progreso HS

Manuel Garcia

La Joya Palmview HS

Damian Magallan

Valley View HS

Sam Cortez

McAllen Memorial HS

HSSM captures the frustrations, dedicated, competitive, head coaches on the sidelines at various games throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Coaches love this game and spend countless of hours with their teams to prepare for Gameday. Their expressions tells it all. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

Richard R. Flores Stadium Former Edinburg High School head football coach and athletic director, Richard R. Flores will now see his name at the Edinburg CISD Cats Stadium. The stadium was renamed after ballots were submitted and committee members chose Flores. The former head coach led the Bobcats to numerous of playoff wins, including quarterfinal appearances. He also created the City of Palms Clinic. Flores was honored at a recent school board meeting. (HSSMImages/File)

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HSSM State Soccer Playoffs

Tough Loss. The 31-5A Champions, Sharyland High School lost to eventual State 5A Champions, Brownsville Porter 2-0 in the Class 5A Region IV Soccer Quarterfinals at Tom Landry Stadium. The Rattlers posted wins over Donna North 3-2 in the bi-district round

followed by an area title against Victoria East 3-1.

(HSSMIMages/Alec Amador)

1802 Scobey Ave Donna, Texas

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HSSM Basketball State Basketball Playoffs Donna ISD Athletic Director-Manuel Moreno

Donna HS Athletic Coordinator-Ramiro Leal Jr. Softball head coach-Adrian Lopez Alexis Mendoza State 5A Region IV Qualifier

Team Members Alexis Mendoza Jonathan Del Bosque Andre De Los Rios Esteban Lopez James Gomez

2015-16 2014-15

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Donna North Athletic Coordinator-Matthew Rokovich

Kristi Villanueva District 32-5A Champion

Team Members are *Tomas Zamorano II, Daniel Pena, Juan Reyna, Jared Galvan, and Martin Sauceda. Girls team members include Kristi Villanueva*, Norma Chapa, Jacueline Garcia, and Liliana Montemayor.

Tommy Zamorano State 5A Region IV Qualifier

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HSSM Soccer Highlights

UIL SOCCER

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Not Again Hidalgo Lost to Giddings HS on Penalty Kicks

The Hidalgo Pirates lost to Giddings on penalty kicks in the 2016 UIL State 4A Region IV semifinals for the second season in a row. The host site was McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium. (HSSMIMages/Alec Amador)

(McAllen, Texas)- “You are still the best and I am proud of each and every one of you today. It doesn’t matter if you win or lose; what matters is that you played with your hearts,” Hidalgo HS head soccer coach Zeke Morales told his team after their loss to Giddings High School in the UIL State 4A Region IV Semifinals Soccer game held at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium. It was a tough loss too.

Both teams played to 0-0 tie at the end of regulation and two overtimes later, both teams remained scoreless. On penalty kicks, the Buffaloes won 6-5 to advance to the regional finals against Progreso. The loss marks the second year in a row in which Hidalgo saw its season end with a loss in the fourth round of the postseason. “That’s the way it goes. It was not our time again. God knows when our time will come and until

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High School Sports Magazine/April 28, 2016

then, we will keep playing the game we love so much,” added Morales.

The Hidalgo High School head coach hugged his team and tried lifting their heads with that somber look, with tears falling with hurt. Morales could only comfort his players and assured them that they would be back. “You deserve to be here because you have worked hard,” Hidalgo opened penalty kicks with three consecutive goals by Jesus Nino, Marco Garcia, and Filiberto Sustaita. At this point, Giddings trailed 3-1.Giddings goalie Alexis Hernandez responded, blocking three of the Pirates’ next six attempts, helping Buffaloes lead to victory.

Last year, the Pirates lost to Fredericksburg 1-0 in the State 4A Region IV Semifinals after posting wins against Progreso, La Vernia, and La Feria. “We will be back,” says Morales.

HSSM Soccer Highlights

High School Sports Magazine

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Class 6A Boys Soccer Playoffs

Flour Bluff 0 Valley View 4 Laredo Cigarroa 0 Bro Pace 1

Bi-District Brownsville Lopez 6 Economedes 1 Laredo LBJ 2 La Joya 3 PSJA Memorial 2 Brownsville Rivera 4* LJ Juarez-Lincoln 3 Laredo United 0 McAllen 4 Del Rio 0 Weslaco 1 Brownsville Hanna 2 Laredo United South 2 LJ Palmview 1 Brownsville Veterans 3 Edinburg North 2

Regional Quarterfinals Valley View 0 Bro Pace 2 Cedar Creek 1 Vandegrift 2 Sharyland 0 Bro Porter 2 SA Jefferson 2 Alamo Heights 4

Area Championships Brownsville Lopez 4 La Joya 1 LJ Juarez-Lincoln 3 Brownsville Rivera 0 McAllen 0 Brownsville Hanna 1 Laredo United South 5 Bro Veterans 2

Regional Finals Brownsville Porter 2 Pace 1

Regional Quarterfinals SA Reagan 4 SA Stevens 1 Bro Hanna 1 Laredo United South 2 Shertz-Clemens 2 SA Clark 0 Brownsville Lopez 2 LJ Juarez-Lincoln 1 Regional Semifinals Shertz-Clemens 2 Bro Lopez 3 SA Reagan 3 Laredo United South 2 Regional Finals Brownsville Lopez 1 SA Reagan 0

Class 5A Boys Soccer Playoffs Bi-District Brownsville Porter 2 Ed Vela 0 Laredo Nixon 1 Calallen 2 Sharyland 3 Donna North 2 Victoria East 5 Laredo Martin 0 Valley View 3 PSJA Southwest 2 Bro Pace 3 Roma 0 Area Championships Sharyland 3 Victoria East 1 Brownsville Porter 5 Calallen 4

Flyin’ High! Brownsville Hanna celebrated their win over McAllen 1-0 inthe Class 6A Soccer Region IV Area Championships.

(HSSMIMages/Alec Amador)

Regional Semifinals Alamo Heights 1 Bro Porter 4 Vandegrift 1 Bro Pace 2

Class 4A Boys Soccer Playoffs Bi-District Port Isabel 4 Monte Alto 1 Hidalgo 3 IDEA Frontier 0 Grulla 1 La Feria 2 Progreso 5 Zapata 0

Area Championships La Vernia 3 La Feria 1 Progreso 4 Rockport-Fulton 0 Hidalgo 2 Kingsville 1 Port Isabel 8 Pleasanton 0 Regional Quarterfinals Fredericksburg 1 Giddings 3 Port Isaebl 6 Hidalgo 7 Gonzales 2 Boerne 1 La Vernia 0 Progreso 5 Regional Semifinals Gonzales 1 Progreso 8 Giddings 1 Hidalgo 0 SO Regional Finals Progreso 3 Giddings 2

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Playing For Glory

“Para el que CREE, TODO le es Posible...Marcos 9:23” Those were just some of the Bible verses that players from the Brownsville Porter soccer team wore during their playoff run. By translation, All things are Possible to him who Believes...Mark 9:23. In sports, more and more players are beginning to express their faith on the field. Soccer players from Progreso, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, Brownsville Porter, Rivera High, and even Brownsville Lopez could be seen kneeling down with their arms raised high, showing their faith. One player said, “I pray with faith to God above. He is the reason I am here today. I glorify him.”

The Porter Cowboys won the State 5A Soccer title for the second time in school history. The Cowboys thanked God with prayer after the game.

High School Sports Magazine

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UIL SOCCER

AllState _______________

Nine Rio Grande Valley soccer players named to the University Interscholastic League All-Soccer Tournament team.

4A Boys - 2015-2016 Dylan Sadler - Argyle - Junior - Midfielder Bryce Pilawski - Kilgore - Junior - Midfielder Spencer Stegall - Kilgore - Senior Midfielder Livan Torres - Kilgore - Senior - Defender *Bennett Gierkey - Palestine - Senior Goalkeeper Luis Zavala - Palestine - Junior - Midfielder Riley Harper - Palestine - Freshman Midfielder Chris Giron - Palestine - Sophomore Midfielder Fabrizzio Gonzalez - Progreso - Sophomore - Forward Rogelio Zamora - Progreso - Junior Midfielder Oziel Jaramillo - Progreso - Junior Goalkeeper 5A Boys - 2015-2016 *Alexis Armendariz - Brownsville Porter Junior - Forward Mario Rios - Brownsville Porter - Freshman - Goalkeeper Marco Don Juan - Brownsville Porter Junior - Midfielder Alexis Anzures - Brownsville Porter Senior - Forward Jonathan Hernandez - El Paso Eastlake - Junior - Forward

Salvador Silva - El Paso Eastlake Senior - Midfielder Harris Partain - Frisco Wakeland - Senior - Midfielder Hector Duron - Frisco Wakeland - Senior - Midfielder Logan Biggs - Frisco Wakeland - Senior - Forward Ty Hurley - Pflugerville Connally - Senior - Goalkeeper Jose Rodriguez - Pflugerville Connally Junior - Midfielder 6A Boys - 2015-2016 Luke Thompson - Austin Lake Travis Junior - Midfielder Marcelo Mitre - Austin Lake Travis Junior - Midfielder Mason Laaksonen - Austin Lake Travis Senior - Forward Jose Echavarria - Brownsville Lopez Sophomore - Midfielder German Vera - Brownsville Lopez Senior - Midfielder Scott Simigian - Coppell - Senior Midfielder Alex Haas - Coppell - Junior - Midfielder *Brandon Bohn - Coppell - Senior Defender Parker McClure - Coppell - Junior Midfielder Patrick Hillyard - Katy Cinco Ranch - Senior - Goalkeeper Donnovan Smith - Katy Cinco Ranch Senior - Forward

Results Class 4A UIL State Championships Semifinals Palestine (28-1-2) defeats Kilgore (19-1-7) 3-2 (SO) Progreso (21-5-2) defeats Argyle (19-1-2) 3-2 OT Final: Palestine defeats Progreso (4-3 SO) Class 5A UIL State Championships Semifinals Frisco Wakeland (24-0-1) defeats Pflugerville Connally (19-5-2) 4-0 Brownsville Porter (26-0-1) defeats El Paso Eastlake 4-1 (22-2-1) Finals: Porter defeats Wakeland (10-9 SO) Class 6A State Championships Semifinals Coppell (22-0-2) defeats Katy Cinco Ranch (18-2-5) 1-0 Austin Lake Travis (24-1) defeats Brownsville Lopez (21-1-1) 2-1 Finals: Coppell defeats Lake Travis 6-1

Alexis Armendariz from Brownsville Porter High School was named the Most Valuable Player at the 2016 UIL State 5A Boys Soccer Championships.

(HSSMIMages/Alec Amador)

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High School Sports Magazine/April 28, 2016

HSSM Soccer Highlights

Vipers

Win Again Vandegrift Defeats Sharyland Pioneer Again in the 5A State Region IV semifinals

HSSMLive.com

Holley Streber from Austin Vandegrift High School dribbles past Sharyland Pioneer HS in the Class 5A Region IV Semifinals. The Lady Vipers won 5-0 to advance to the finals. The Pioneers finished as 31-5A runner ups. (HSSMIMages/Alec Amador)

(Corpus Christi, Texas)-At the UIL State Soccer Girls Region IV-5A semifinals, 31-5A runner-ups, Sharyland Pioneer lost to the 25-5A champions, Austin Vandegrift Lady Vipers 5-0 to end their season at Cabaniss Field. “This is our second season competing in UIL sports and to make back-to-back appearances in the state regional tournament is well-worth it ,” Pioneer coach J.J. Lopez said. Vandegrift is the defending regional champion and defeated the Lady Pioneers in 2015 in the regional semifinals 1-0. Vandegrift’s Grace Erdman scored the team’s first three scores off corner kicks in the first half.

The Lady Vipers Sarah Mahosky scored on another to make it 4-0 at the half. with 28:52 to play. Vandegrift outshot Pioneer 14-1. “The Lady Vipers are a very good team and hopefully, we will be next year,” added Lopez.

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Congratulations District Champs!

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Ouch!

Playoffs Sharyland and Sharyland Pioneer teams advance to Region-IV 5A Girls Soccer Semifinals. Playoff Recaps...

The Rio Grande Valley girls soccer programs took another step closer to qualifying for the University Interscholastic League’s State Soccer Championships at Birklebach Field in Georgetown, Texas.

Sharyland, Sharyland Pioneer, and Los Fresnos all qualified for the Region IV Soccer Tournament with hopes of winning the tournament to advance as the Region IV champions, but all three teams were stopped short.

In Class 6A, Los Fresnos posted wins over PSJA Memorial 3-1, Laredo United South 2-1, and Harlingen South 1-0 in the first three rounds of the state playoffs. At the Brownsville Sportspark, site of this year’s UIL State 6A Soccer Region IV Tournament, the Lady Falcons were shutout 2-0 by San Antonio O’Connor.

If there was one team left wondering what could of happened in the state playoffs, that team would be the EdcouchElsa HS Lady Yellowjackets. After falling to Sharyland High School in the first round of the playoffs 3-2, the Lady Rattlers defeated Flour Bluff 5-4 and Gregory-Portland 3-2, head coach Juan Romero could only praise his team after their loss.

“We almost won this one,” says Romero. “We gave it our best.” In the regional semifinals, Vista Ridge proved to be too much for the younger Sharyland team. The Lady Rattlers featured seventeen underclassman with only three seniors. Head Ouch! Sharyland HS freshmen, Mariela Mendez is taken down

by Vista Ridge in the 2016 UIL State 5A Girls Region IV Semifinals Soccer Championships at Cabaniss Field in Corpus Christi, Texas. The Lady Rattlers lost 4-2.

(HSSMIMages/Alec Amador)

30 High School Sports Magazine/April 28, 2016

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HSSMLive.com coach Aaron Clemons likes what he experienced with his Lady Rattlers this past season. In only his second year at the new Sharyland Pioneer High School, J.J. Lopez watched his team defeat Brownsville Pace (3-0), Victoria East (1-0), and Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial (3-0), to advance to the fourth round of the state playoffs. Lopez, transferred to Pioneer and brought over his tradition of winning. Against Vandegrift Vipers, the Pioneer Diamondbacks did all they could against a more athletic and experienced team.

Class 6A Girls Soccer Playoffs

Bi-District Brownsville Lopez 4 Edinburg 0 Laredo United 4 McAllen Rowe 1 Economedes 3 Brownsville Veterans 2 McAllen Memorial 1 Del Rio 3 McAllen 3 Eagle Pass 0 Edinburg North 1 Harlingen South 4 Laredo United South 2 LJ Juarez-Lincoln 1 Los Fresnos 3 PSJA Memorial 1 Area Championships Brownsville Lopez 0 Laredo United 2 Economedes 0 Del Rio 1 McAllen 0 Harlingen South 1 Laredo United South 1 Los Fresnos 2 Regional Quarterfinals Harlingen South 0 Los Fresnos 1 SA Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor 2 Smithson Valley 0 Laredo United 0 Del Rio 1 SA McArthur 3 SA Johnson 1 Regional Semifinals SA MacArthur 1 Del Rio 0 SA O-Connor 2 Los Fresnos 0 Regional Finals SA MacArthur 1 SA Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor 0

UIL State Girls Soccer Champions

Class 4A Kennedale defeats Jasper 6-0 Class 5A Frisco Centennial defeats Grapevine 3-1 SO Class 6A Lewisville Flower Mound defeats Dallas Highland Park 5-3 SO

Tangled! McAllen lost to Harlingen South in the 2016 UIL State 6A Girls Area Soccer Championships. In Class 5A, Sharyland Pioneer lost to Austin Vandegrift 5-0.

(HSSMIMages/Alec Amador)

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Class 4A Girls Soccer Playoffs Bi-District La Feria 6 Monte Alto 1 Hidalgo 1 Lyford 0 Grulla 2 Progreso 1 Port Isabel 2 Raymondville 1 Area Championships Pleasanton 3 La Feria 0 Kingsville 2 Hidalgo 0 Port Isabel 4 La Vernia 1 Grulla 0 Rockport-Fulton 7 Regional-Qtrs Rockport-Fulton 6 Port Isabel 0

Class 5A Girls Soccer Playoffs

Bi-District PSJA Southwest 3 Mission Veterans 1 Sharyland 3 Ed-Elsa 2 Sharyland Pioneer 3 Pace 0 Porter 3 Valley View 0 Area Championships Mission Veterans 2 Porter 1 Sharyland Pioneer 1 Victoria East 0 Sharyland 5 Flour Bluff 4 PSJA Southwest 0 Gregory-Portland 3 Regional Qtrs Pioneer 3 Mission Veterans 0 Sharyland 3 Gregory-Portland 2 Regional Semifinals Sharyland Pioneer 0 Vandegrift 5 Sharyland 2 Vista Ridge 4

Camelia Velez from Sharyland High School is guarded by Edcouch-Elsa HS Dominique Ibarra in the 2016 UIL State 5A Girls Bi-District Soccer Championships. (HSSMIMages/Tddave) High School Sports Magazine

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