Memorial goalkeeper Diego Vasquez pins a penalty kick attempt by Fort Bend Austin's Ivan Caicedo (10) in the first half.
The Pasadena ISD’s oldest and newest high schools will square off on Tuesday night in a boys soccer showdown from which one will emerge among the top 16 Class 5A teams in Texas.
Memorial advanced to the Region III quarter-finals for the first time in the school’s 10-year history with a 1-0 victory over Fort Bend Austin on Friday afternoon at The Rig in Pearland.
Later, the venerable Pasadena Eagles also advanced to the quarter-finals by beating Clear Lake 2-1 at Abshier Stadium in Deer Park.
The Mavericks and Eagles will collide Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Stadium to see which of the two will advance to the regional semifinals next Friday.
Memorial, 14-2-7 for the season, emerged as the No. 1 seed from District 22-5A following a co-championship with Sam Rayburn and shootout victory over the Texans to determine playoff seeds.
Pasadena, 15-3-3, went into the playoffs as the No. 3 seed from 22-5A.
The Mavericks handed the Eagles two of their losses during district play. Memorial won 1-0 on Feb. 8 and by another 1-0 count on March 3.
Friday’s area-round result left the Pasadena ISD sporting two of the top eight teams in Region III.
Memorial got the only goal it needed 25 minutes into the first half when freshman Ryan Guajardo scored on a pass from Jose Garcia following a breakaway down the left side by Santiago Gonzalez.
Mavericks goalkeeper Diego Vasquez heroically preserved the 0-0 tie just minutes before when he rejected a penalty kick by Fort Bend Austin’s Ivan Caicedo.
The Eagles grabbed a 1-0 lead on Clear Lake, the District 24-5A champion, seven minutes into the contest on a breakaway goal by Julio Jimenez. The Falcons quickly tied it on a goal by Michael Plaza off a corner kick.
The deciding goal came with 19:18 still left in the first half when Memorial’s Julio Montano planted a left-footed kick from 20 yards out.
The Falcons had a late opportunity go awry when Rigas Rigopoulos sent a direct kick from 20 yards out just over the bar.
The winner of Tuesday night’s game will play at 5:30 on Friday at Abshier Stadium against either Cypress Springs or Cinco Ranch. The Region III title game is set for 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at Abshier.
Memorial's Ryan Guajardo (19) takes the ball away from Fort Bend Austin's Ty Abdoh (3).
Pardon my head! Memorial goalkeeper Diego Vasquez rips the ball off the forehead of teammate Fernando Lezama (8) while making a save in the first half.
Memorial's Omar Torres closes in on Fort Bend Austin's Chewy Burton as he shoots the ball up the sideline.
Fort Bend Austin's Osberith Aponte (11) shoots the ball into the air as Memorial's Jose Perez (2) and Santiago Gonzalez (11) arrive to defend.
Memorial's Fernando Lezama (8) works the ball against Fort Bend Austin's George Mattick.
Memorial players stand at attention for the national anthem.
Pasadena students cheer their team.
Pasadena's Julio Montano gets off a kick in front of Clear Lake's Ruadhri Kenny (7).
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Eagles senior Luis Cayon (10) and Clear Lake's Rigas Rigopoulos track the ball as they jockey for position near midfield late in the game.
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Pasadena's Luis Araujo (16) puts his foot into the ball as Clear Lake's Camilo Vives (11) braces himself for impact.
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Pasadena's Luis Araujo (16) wipes his brow as the Eagles celebrate their victory. Joining the huddle are Luis Cayon (10), Isaac Hernandez (21), Diego Pineda (1), and Jesus Castillo (2).