HIDALGO — Hidalgo’s Gabriel Ordoñez made a name for himself as one of the Valley’s top defenders last season. The then-junior anchored a Pirates defense that allowed just four goals over the final two months of the season, including holding its first three postseason opponents scoreless.
Ordoñez has evolved his game to another level this season, emerging as one of the Pirates’ top shot-takers. He demonstrated his finishing ability during the 40th annual BISD Boys Soccer Tournament two weeks ago, netting the go-ahead goal on a penalty kick to give the Pirates a 1-0 victory in the Silver Bracket championship.
His shot-taking prowess was on display once again during the Pirates’ second game of the 16th annual Copa La Frontera on Thursday, scoring the game-tying goal on a penalty to send the Pirates and Los Fresnos Falcons home with a 1-1 draw.
“It just speaks volumes of the confidence these kids are coming in with this year,” Hidalgo head coach Zeke Morales said. “They’re working hard and understand they’re capable of giving us even more. Gavi (Ordoñez) was a heck of a defender last year and was very important for us in that aspect of the game. It is nice to see him loosen up a little and try to attack in the final third. He’s come up clutch for us already in a couple of games. He’s scored I don’t even know how many goals for us now. He’s doing a good job for us and I’m really happy for that.”
The goal marked the second of the tournament for the senior defender. He netted the Pirates’ lone goal during a 2-1 loss to Brownsville Rivera to open the tournament. Hidalgo finished the first day of group play with a 0-1-1 mark.
Brownsville Rivera was one of the day’s biggest winners in Group 1, going 2-0-0 with wins against Hidalgo and Vanguard Mozart.
The Raiders will kick off Day 2 with a game against District 32-6A rival Los Fresnos. The Falcons finished 1-0-1 during the first day of group play, taking down Vanguard Mozart and tying Hidalgo.
This weekend’s tournament marks the third of the year for the Falcons, who also competed in the 40th annual BISD Soccer Tournament and the San Antonio Southwest Showcase.
“More than keeping them ready, these tournaments are big for building chemistry we need,” Los Fresnos head coach Michael Miller said. “A lot of these guys play on separate clubs over the summer and in the fall and spring. These tournaments are opportunities to see them together and get them on the same page. We get the opportunity to see a lot of schools at different levels. We’re playing a couple of teams in our district, which isn’t normally what we want to do, but it is what we have to do to get some games in before district.”
Day 2 of the 16th annual Copa La Frontera begins at 9 a.m. today, with games taking place at Bill Pate Stadium in Hidalgo and PSJA Stadium in Pharr.
For full Day 1 scores and Day 2 schedule, visit RGVSports.com.
