Memorial sophomore Chris Rodriguez prepare to launch the direct kick that proved to be the only score of the game in the Mavericks' 1-0 victory over Baytown Sterling.
Six Pasadena ISD soccer teams went in. Two came out – and the best in the bunch just barely made it.
Stalled only by a two-hour lightning delay, the Pasadena boys team decked Port Arthur Memorial 4-0 at Baytown’s Stallworth Stadium on Friday night to close out the first round of state playoffs games for Pasadena ISD teams.
Unfortunately, of the six district teams that qualified, only the Eagles and the Memorial boys will be around for second-round action next week.
Even the Mavericks – the No. 1 seed in District 22-5A – struggled in their playoff opener against Baytown Sterling, the No. 4 seed from District 21-5A.
A direct-kick goal by sophomore Chris Rodriguez midway through the first half was just enough to lift Memorial to a 1-0 victory over the Rangers at Deer Park’s Abshier Stadium.
Sam Rayburn, which shared the 22-5A boys title with Memorial, wasn’t as fortunate in the second game at Abshier. North Shore’s Moises Sanchez scored both his team’s goals as the Mustangs eliminated the Texans 2-1.
The loss was Sam Rayburn’s first since Jan. 16.
Sanchez gave his team a 1-0 lead with a goal midway through the first half. The Texans tied it on a free kick by Ivan Rosales just before intermission. Sanchez punched in the game-winner in the second half.
The Eagles, 22-5A No. 3 seed, dominated Port Arthur Memorial, the No. 2 seed from 21-5A. Pasadena sophomore Oziel Alcaraz scored twice in the first half to give his team a 2-0 halftime lead. His first goal came on a penalty kick.
Seniors Julio Montano and Edgar Grimaldo added goals for the Eagles in the second half.
Dobie, with the No. 4 seeds in both the boys and girls brackets, suffered a double loss on Thursday night to Deer Park, which brought in the top seeds in 21-5A.
Memorial saw its second-seeded girls team fall to Beaumont West Brook 2-0 in Beaumont.
The Memorial boys are now 13-2-7 for the season. The Pasadena boys stand 14-3-3.
Memorial's Jose Garcia (14) launches a shot on goal as Baytown Sterling's Armando Hermoso attempts a sliding block.
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Heads-up plays: (Left) Memorial's Anthony Diaz tangles with Baytown Sterling's Abraham Lara; (right) the Mavericks' Alejandro Lezama beats Armando Hermoso (14) and Javier Victoria (5) to the ball.
Baytown Sterling goalkeeper Eduardo Rodriguez answers the alarm as Memorial's Raymundo Guajardo rushes the net. Guarjardo's kick was wide to the right.
Memorial's Jose Perez works the ball against Baytown Sterling's Thomas Hotchkiss.
Memorial goalkeeper Diego Vasquez brings the ball out after a stop at the net.
Sam Rayburn's Hugo Duque battles North Shore's Julen Sagastizado (20) and Rene Pena (9) in close quarters.
North Shore's Edgar Hurtado (18) pokes the ball back to teammate Johan Parra (6) for a shot attempt. Miguel Elizondo (14) blocks out for Sam Rayburn.
North Shore's Johan Parra (6) uses his head to try to keep the ball away from Sam Rayburn's Ivan Rosales (10).
Sam Rayburn's Hugo Duque (18) and North Shore defenders Allen Rosales (4), Benjy Zul (15) and Cesar Alafitta (16) watch as the ball sails out of bounds.
Sam Rayburn fans nervously watch events unfold in the first half.