HIDALGO — Hidalgo’s Gabriel Ordoñez looks like he belongs on the basketball court. Standing 6-foot-5, the Pirates’ freshman towers over most. Rather than compete on the hardwood, however, Ordoñez makes a name for himself on the soccer pitch.
The lanky defender used his long frame to terrorize opposing forwards this season, erasing any chance of scoring throughout the year.
With Ordoñez anchoring the back, the Pirates fielded one of the Valley’s stingiest defenses, allowing just two goals through 10 district contests. For his defensive tenacity, Ordoñez is The Monitor’s 2022 All-Area Boys Soccer Defensive Player of the Year.
“I feel very proud to win this award,” Ordoñez said. “I am aware of the level of talent that exists in the Valley and all the players who put in the work, so I am very proud to win it.
Since he was young, Ordoñez has embraced a no-fear attitude when defending, going at any player who enters his area.
Ordoñez brought much-needed mental and physical toughness to the team during his first year with the Pirates, Hidalgo head coach Zeke Morales said, solidifying a back line which already included sophomore Anthony Nava, a District 31-4A first-team selection last year.
“Since I was little, I was taught that on all plays and against all the players, enter without fear,” Ordoñez said. “They taught me to get to them without thinking so much about the goal I can receive. It could be more painful if they score a goal because of me not trying.
“The main thing I think about is keeping a clean sheet. Also, that the people who come to see us don’t leave disappointed with our game. We have to play our best. The fewer goals on the pitch the better.”
Led by Ordoñez’s toughness, the Pirates held opponents scoreless during eight of 10 district contests, with their only two goals allowed coming with the game well in hand.
His impact was even more evident during the postseason, with the Pirates holding their first three opponents to zero en route to the Region IV-4A semifinals. They outscored teams 12-0 during that span.
“More than anything, it’s all because of our coach,” Ordoñez said. “We made sure to teach the whole team to defend. He made us understand it wasn’t up just to the defenders to defend. From our midfielders to our forwards, they made sure to pressure and make it difficult to get onto our side of the field.”
The Pirates allowed their first two postseason goals during the regional semifinal against Taylor, with the last goal coming during the final minute to end Hidalgo’s season.
Despite the loss, Ordoñez expects bigger things from the Pirates’ defense next year, with most of the back slated to return, including himself.
“I hope to see our defense improve,” Ordoñez said. “We had some good pieces, but we had some players who lacked the practice. Now is the time to train and improve as a whole defense for next season.”
