By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
If Del Rio hopes to return to the boys soccer playoffs, then they’ll need more gritty wins like the one they managed against Laredo United Friday night.
With just 22 seconds remaining in regulation, the Rams’ Alfain Peñaloza took a free kick from about 20 yards out. His shot sailed high and into the upper right part of the goal to give Del Rio the eventual 6-5 win over United and thrust the Rams right back into the playoff hunt.
The high output shouldn’t have been a surprise to soccer fans of both teams. The first time these two teams met this season they end regulation tied 2-2, but then combined for 21 successful attempts in the shootout, which Del Rio won 11-10 to earn two points.
With four matches left on their schedule, the Rams are tied for third place in District 30-6A with Laredo Nixon and Laredo United South as all three teams have 14 points.
Del Rio and Nixon will break their tie Tuesday night when the two teams square off in Laredo on Nixon’s home field at 7:30 p.m.
The Rams won’t face United South until March 16 when they travel to Laredo’s Krueger Field for a 7:30 p.m. tilt. The last time Del Rio and Nixon played, the Rams edged the Mustangs 2-1 Feb. 11 at Walter Levermann Ram Stadium.
Friday night’s match was a wild one with 11 goals combined from both teams.
Peñaloza scored four goals in the match for Del Rio. He scored the Rams’ first three goals and then the finale. Hector Trujillo had Del Rio’s other goal.
While Roberto Garcia didn’t score a goal, he contributed to the effort by assisting on Del Rio’s first four goals.
The district standings currently have Laredo Alexander on top followed by Laredo LBJ. Then comes the three-way tie with Del Rio, Nixon and United. Laredo United South and Eagle Pass round out the standings.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
