HIDALGO — Valley View’s Diego Ontiveros had multiple opportunities to find paydirt during regulation. From shots sailing wide to not letting the ball get away before he could shoot, he was unable to convert.
He didn’t let it affect him, however.
With the game on the line, Ontiveros lined up for the go-ahead penalty kick. The senior midfielder delivered a strike past PSJA Memorial’s goalkeeper to secure a 5-3 shootout victory over the Wolverines in a District 31-5A contest Tuesday at Tiger Stadium in Hidalgo.
“Missing shots is normal in soccer,” Ontiveros said. “You’re going to miss shots, but you can’t put your head down. I always try to keep my mind clear. A clear mind is key, especially during penalties. I always maintain calm from the beginning of the game to the end, no matter what. I knew it was going to be the difference in the game. Thanks to God, I was able to do it.”
The Tigers didn’t waste any time tying the game during the second half, with senior forward Ever Arredondo crossing a ball into the box on a set piece from 38 yards out.
The pass connected with a wide-open Diego Macias, who tapped in the game-tying goal two minutes in.
Valley View nearly netted the go-ahead goal with five minutes remaining when junior forward Peter Yanez outran his defender and delivered a strike down the middle, but the ball was corralled by Wolverines goalkeeper Omar Garcia, keeping the game 1-1 and sending it into penalties.
The Wolverines were unable to convert two of their first four penalty attempts, setting up the Tigers for the go-ahead goal with Ontiveros netting the game-winner.
“We knew beforehand what we were coming into,” Valley View assistant coach Damian Magallan said. “ We knew this PSJA Memorial team was really good. We have seen them many times in previous years. These kids have worked really hard. We told them early on not to lose their head. If we did that, we weren’t going to be able to come out. The kids responded well and they delivered it on the field with this game won.”
The shootout victory moves Valley View to 1-0-1 on the year, sitting in fourth place in the district with five points earned. They’ll take on PSJA Southwest (2-0-0), who is tied for first with McAllen High and McAllen Memorial, at 8 p.m. Friday at PSJA Southwest.
The Wolverines drop to 0-0-2, with both their opening district contests ending in penalty kicks, including one victory and one loss. They host the McAllen Rowe Warriors (1-1-0) at 8 p.m. Friday.
