BROWNSVILLE — Brownsville Porter’s Alessandro Lara didn’t want to leave his dad’s side Wednesday.

With his grandmother nearing death, Lara wanted to remain with his dad through it all. His dad, however, wouldn’t let him, pushing the Cowboys senior to go with his team and play in the Brownsville ISD boys soccer tournament.

Lara listened to his dad, taking the field with his teammates Thursday just one day since the death of his grandma. An inspired and emotional Lara delivered a standout tournament performance, netting six goals during the Cowboys five-game run to Saturday’s gold championship game.

The senior added one more during the championship match, netting the go-ahead goal on a penalty kick and pointing to the sky as a tribute, and the Cowboys downed the PSJA Memorial Wolverines 1-0 at the Brownsville Sports Park to claim the 40th annual Brownsville ISD Soccer Tournament championship.

Brownsville Porter’s Alessandro Lara fights for possession with a PSJA Memorial defender during the championship game at the 40th Annual Brownsville ISD Soccer Tournament at the Brownsville Sports Park in Brownsville. (Miguel Roberts/The Brownsville Herald)

“It was difficult playing this weekend because my grandma was very important to me,” Lara said. “The most difficult thing was before she left, she told me to take this necklace and cross and told me she was leaving. Until now I am realizing she was saying her goodbyes to me because she loved me. I didn’t want to leave my dad alone because he never left me alone as a kid. But he pushed me to come and told me I had a responsibility to this team. That’s why I’m here. Every play and every goal, it was for him and her. I know she wants me to be better, and today I pushed myself. Everything I left on the field is for her.”

Lara finished with seven of the team’s 11 goals during the tournament, including a brace during the Cowboys’ pool-play win against Sharyland High on Thursday.

Porter’s offense was complemented by a stout defensive performance from its backline, allowing just one goal during the entire tournament.

Anchoring the defensive effort was reigning District 32-5A Defensive Player of the Year Ricardo Leal. The senior defender was named MVP of the championship match after helping the Cowboys blank the Wolverines, who entered the contest averaging two goals per contest through four tournament games.

“(PSJA Memorial was) coming for revenge after last year’s loss to us in the playoffs,” Brownsville Porter head coach Jose Espitia said. “When something like that happens, you want to play that team again, especially with them having a strong team coming back. It was a very good opportunity. I know it’s only a preseason tournament, but I really don’t want to face them again in the playoffs. They’re a very strong team.”

The Cowboys finished the tournament undefeated, picking up wins over Sharyland High (2-1), Corpus Christi Moody (2-0), Austin St. Stephens (2-0), Brownsville St. Joseph (2-0), Laredo United (2-0) and PSJA Memorial (1-0).

Brownsville Porter closes out non-district play with a six-game win streak intact. They’ll open District 32-5A play at 5:30 p.m. Friday on the road against Weslaco East.

“This was something we needed,” Lara said. “Honestly, we didn’t start the season well. No matter how good the club, it isn’t always going to be a win. From those defeats we must learn, though. We suffered those early season losses, but now with this I think we’re going to go into the season in better form. Like I said earlier, when people talk about Porter not being the same, today we demonstrated through hard work and dedication what we can do.”

SILVER BRACKET

Prior to Saturday’s gold championship game, the Hidalgo Pirates and Brownsville Veterans took the field in a battle for the silver championship.

The Pirates emerged victorious, taking down the Chargers 1-0 on a penalty kick by senior defender Gabriel Ordonez during the 41st minute.

The Hidalgo Pirates pose with their championship plaque after defeating Brownsville Veterans 1-0 in the silver bracket championship game during the 40th Annual Brownsville ISD Soccer Tournament at the Brownsville Sports Park in Brownsville. (Ivan Palacios | RGVSports.com)

Ordonez’s penalty attempt was set up by constant offensive pressure from team captain Joaquin Rosales, who drew the foul inside the box leading to the goal.

Rosales’ offensive attack created multiple chances for the Pirates, earning him the match’s MVP award.

The Pirates finished tournament play 4-1, picking up wins over Brownsville Rivera, Corpus Christi Veterans, La Joya High and Brownsville Veterans. Their lone loss came to PSJA Memorial, which finished as the tournament’s runner-up.

BRONZE BRACKET

The Sharyland High Rattlers put on an offensive showcase during the first half of their bronze championship game against Brownsville St. Joseph, pouring in three goals to claim the title 3-0.

Hugo Guerra opened the scoring for the Rattlers, with Gael Cantu and Juan Pablo Trevino adding a goal each during the final minutes of the half.

The Sharyland High Rattlers pose with their championship plaque after defeating Brownsville St. Joseph 3-0 in the bronze bracket championship game during the 40th Annual Brownsville ISD Soccer Tournament at the Brownsville Sports Park in Brownsville. (Ivan Palacios | RGVSports.com)

The Rattlers finished with a 4-2 tournament record, winning games against Austin St. Stephens, Corpus Christi Moody, Mission High and Brownsville St. Joseph. Their two losses came to tournament champion Brownsville Porter and silver bracket semifinalist Brownsville Lopez.

The Rattlers turn their attention to District 31-5A play beginning at 8 p.m. Friday against the PSJA Memorial Wolverines at PSJA Memorial.

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