By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
Del Rio’s boys soccer team is in a scoring funk right now, but hope is high things will turn around soon.
The Rams were outscored 5-0 in their last two matches, dropping their record in District 30-6A to 1 win, 3 losses and 1 draw for a total of four points.
On Feb. 15, the Rams were shutout 4-0 by the Laredo Alexander Bulldogs. Gael Gallegos scored a pair of goals while Fernando Soldevilla and Jose Uvalle each scored a goal for the Bulldogs.
Saturday, Del Rio looked to get back on track against the visiting Laredo United South Panthers.
The first half ended 0-0, but Del Rio had its chances.
The Rams went on the attack in the 22nd minute as junior Alfain Penaloza brought the ball up the left side of the field, put a nice move on a pair of South defenders and then passed ahead to a streaking Robert Garcia.
The Panthers defenders did a good job of cutting Garcia off from the pass, allowing their goalie to take control of the ball and turn away the Rams attack.
On the other side, Del Rio goalie Julian Rivera was equally up to the task, keeping South out of the net and preserving the scoreless half.
In the second half, the Panthers turned up the pressure on Del Rio.
Less than 10 minutes into the second half, South had its first chance to score when Rivera was caught out of position and the Panthers were left with an open net to shoot at. However, the shot went wide and the Rams dodged an early bullet.
With 12 minutes left to play, it looked like the Rams would break into the scoring column first as Garcia darted down the field on a run through the South defense. He looked to center the ball, but his pass was intercepted by a Panthers defender, ending another scoring chance for Del Rio.
With less than seven minutes to play in regulation, South finally broke through when Steven Espinoza dove and headed the ball into the net for the first goal of the game. The picture perfect pass came from the far side of the goal and Espinoza was the only player who had a chance on the ball.
Del Rio surged at the South net looking for the equalizer and caught a break with 3:16 left in regulation when the Panthers were called for a handball penalty inside the box, giving Del Rio a penalty kick.
Penaloza was sent out for the attempt, but his shot clanged off the near post and was quickly cleared by the South defenders, leaving the Rams down by a goal.
Del Rio’s last chance for a goal came with about 1:20 left in regulation as Garcia tried a corner kick to set up a goal, but the Rams were shielded away from the ball by South and Del Rio was kept out of the goal one last time.
Del Rio is scheduled to play at Eagle Pass Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. The Rams will then have an open date Saturday before returning to action Wednesday, March 2, when they travel to Laredo to face LBJ at 7:30 p.m. at the Student Activity Complex.
Del Rio’s next home match will be Friday, March 4 when they host the Laredo United Longhorns at 6:30 p.m. at Walter Levermann Ram Stadium.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
