By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
Up 1-0 at halftime, and with the wind in their favor, everything seemed to be going right for the Del Rio Queens soccer team.
But Edinburg Vela wasn’t ready to just let the Queens waltz into the third round of the playoffs.
The Sabercats rallied for a pair of second half goals to stun the District 30-6A champions and bring an end to the Queens season, 2-1, Tuesday night in the Area round of the playoffs.
“It was a tough one. We were winning 1-0 in the first half with the wind in our favor, but we did miss some good opportunities on goal,” Queens head soccer coach Wilber Rivas said Wednesday.
Del Rio took a 1-0 lead in the first half on a goal off a free kick by freshman Monika Gonzalez. That lone score carried into the second half in what Rivas described as an intense game that went back and forth.
Vela got a chance to tie the match midway through the second half when the Queens were called for a handball inside the penalty area. The Sabercats converted the ensuing penalty kick and tied things at 1-1.
With about 11 minutes left in regulation, Vela was able to make a run and broke through Del Rio’s defense for the go-ahead goal.
“All they did after that was defend the lead. We tried a couple of counterattacks but we were unable to get a shot on goal. The Queens definitely left it all on the field,” Rivas said.
The loss brings a sudden end to what was a magical season for the Queens. They won the district crown for the first time in seven years by finishing their district schedule unbeaten – 11 wins, 1 draw. Del Rio had gone 13 straight matches without a loss and had not allowed a goal in its last five consecutive matches, regular season and postseason included.
Vela, the runners-up in District 31-6A, will face District 29-6A champions San Antonio Brennan in the third round. Brennan beat Los Fresnos, 4-2 in the Area round of the playoffs.
—
Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
