By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
For the first time this district season, the Del Rio Queens soccer team did not get to celebrate a victory.
With the stellar Giselle Castañeda out due to injury, Del Rio ended regulation time against Laredo United tied 2-2. In the shootout, the Lady Longhorns earned an extra point by beating the Queens, 3-2, Saturday afternoon on the hot turf at Laredo’s Krueger Field.
Jadyn Casillas scored both of Del Rio’s goals in regulation off assists from Mia Ortiz and Cassandra Ochoa.
In the shootout, Ochoa made Del Rio’s first try, but United did the same. Casillas’ shot was blocked by United goalie Kailey Lopez, but Del Rio’s Zoey Ortiz helped force United to miss their second shot.
After Laurie Igancio’s shot was blocked, and United’s third shot failed, Noelia Ibarra had her shot stuffed by Lopez. United was then able to convert its fourth shot to take a 2-1 lead.
Del Rio made it 2-2 on their final shot of the first round as Kayla Celedon found the net, but United earned the extra point by scoring on its final first round try to win the shootout.
The match was the first time Del Rio had surrendered a goal since the last time the Queens and United met Feb. 8. The Queens have allowed only four goals in eight district matches this season.
Castañeda suffered a lower leg injury in Del Rio’s win over LBJ March 1. Queens head coach Wilber Rivas said he does expect Castañeda to return before the end of the regular season but did not name an exact date.
The draw by Del Rio and United, and a win by Laredo Nixon over Eagle Pass, puts the District 30-6A girls soccer standings into a three-team race with just a handful of matches remaining in the regular season.
Del Rio and Nixon are tied atop the standings with 22 points as both teams have seven wins and one draw. The Queens do hold the advantage, though, as they’ve beaten the Lady Mustangs once this season already. The two teams meet Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Walter Levermann Ram Stadium.
While the district crown won’t be decided Tuesday night, it could set up an interesting dash to the finish line for both teams, but Laredo United may still have a say in the district title.
The Lady Longhorns currently sit in third place with 19 points (4 wins, 4 draws). They have one loss and one draw against Del Rio and one draw against Nixon, but they also won the shootout in that match to earn another point. Those two teams will meet again next week in a match that should affect the top three standings.
Laredo Alexander and Laredo United South are tied for the final spot with 9 points each.
—
Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
