PHARR — Peter Yanez had to watch from the sidelines last season when PSJA Southwest handed the Valley View its lone district loss of the year.
Ever Arredondo played during the game but didn’t make much of an impact, leaving him frustrated.
Both held on to the feeling heading into Friday’s rematch against the Javelinas. Fueled by last season’s defeat, Arredondo and Yanez combined for four goals to lead the Tigers to a dominating 4-0 victory over PSJA Southwest during a District 31-5A contest at PSJA Southwest Stadium in Pharr.
“That was the only game I didn’t play last year,” Yanez added. “It left me frustrated that I couldn’t play and help my teammates. Tonight, we were able to come back here and get a big win. They came in 2-0 in district, but we came in with a very focused mindset. Now it is time to celebrate.”
Valley View put together an offensive showcase after struggling during its first two district contests, controlling possession and using timely passes to find openings in the PSJA Southwest defense.
Arredondo orchestrated the offensive outburst, playing a part in each of the Tigers’ goals. The senior forward connected with Yanez on a pair of crosses into the box during the first half, with Yanez finishing both to make it 3-0 before the break.
“The biggest difference from these other game was that connection between me and Ever,” Yanez said. “We ended up with two goals from me and two from him. We just had a really good connection. We have to continue to use that moving forward.”
Arredondo added to his offensive showing with a breakaway goal during the second half, zooming past the defense to set up a 1-on-1 matchup with the goalkeeper. The senior forward faked the goalie out and tapped the ball into the empty net for the easy goal.
“Honestly, that last game was on my mind,” Arredondo said. “I didn’t want to come here and lose again. We wanted to win. We were able to do that while I scored two goals. That last goal I just waited for him to come out so I could put it past him and it went in.”
Valley View moves to 2-0-1 in district play, sitting in second with eight points behind McAllen High (3-0-0). The Javelinas drop to 2-1-0, tied for third with McAllen Memorial (2-1-1).
The Tigers return home for their next contest, taking on Edinburg Vela at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Tiger Stadium in Hidalgo. The Javelinas will look to bounce back during a road contest at 8 p.m. Tuesday against McAllen Rowe.
McALLEN HIGH 6, McALLEN MEMORIAL 2
At McAllen, the Bulldogs took control of sole possession of first place in District 31-5A, handing the Mustangs their first loss of the year.
Vicente Alvarez and Aron Ramirez scored in their third straight game for the Bulldogs, each netting a pair of goals. Alvarez leads the team with five goals, with Ramirez ranking second with four.
The Bulldogs (3-0-0) put their unbeaten mark on the line at 8 p.m. Tuesday, taking on Sharyland Pioneer (0-2-1) at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium in McAllen.
SHARYLAND HIGH 7, EDINBURG VELA 2
At Edinburg, the Rattlers poured in five second half goals to secure their first district win of the year.
Juan Pablo Trevino and Jose Sanchez each recorded braces during the win, with Alan Guerrero, Edward Morales and Marco Ramos adding one goal each.
The Rattlers (1-1-1) hit the road for a contest against McAllen Memorial (2-1-1) at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
PSJA NORTH 3, SHARYLAND PIONEER 2 (PKs)
At Mission, the Raiders erased a first half deficit to send the game into penalty kicks where they held off the Diamondbacks to secure two points.
The Raiders two-goal performance marked the first two scores of the year for PSJA North, moving to 0-2-1 on the year with the shootout win.
They’ll look to build off the victory at 8 p.m. Tuesday against the undefeated Bulldogs.
PSJA MEMORIAL 3, McALLEN ROWE 2 (PKs)
At Pharr, the Wolverines found themselves in a penalty kick shootout for a third straight game, picking up their second victory with a 5-4 win in PKs.
The Wolverines battled back from a halftime deficit to send the game into penalties, scoring both their goals during the second half. Mario Gomez and Diego Pina did the scoring for PSJA Memorial.
The Wolverines (0-0-3) will look to pick up their first win in regulation at 8 p.m. Tuesday against city rival PSJA North.
District 32-5A
DONNA NORTH 5, EDCOUCH-ELSA 1
At Donna, the Chiefs took control of first place in the district behind a dominating performance over the Yellow Jackets.
Donna North’s Richard Martinez played a key role in the victory, scoring twice. Antwan Bazaldua, Melvin Gomez and Jonatan Juarez each scored one.
The Chiefs hold a one point lead over Brownsville Lopez, Brownsville Porter and Weslaco East heading into the third week of district play, sitting at 2-0-1.
WESLACO EAST 1, DONNA HIGH 0
At Weslaco, the Wildcats bounced back after losing last week to Brownsville Porter, taking down the Redskins behind a second-half goal from Anderson De Leon.
The victory helps Weslaco East keep pace with the top teams in the district, sitting tied for second.
De Leon has scored during each of the Wildcats’ wins this year.
BROWNSVILLE PACE 3, HARLINGEN SOUTH 1
At Brownsville, the Vikings netted three second half goals to erase a 1-0 deficit and move to 1-1-1 in district play.
Brownsville Pace’s Jovany Chavez scored two of the Vikings three goals during the win, bringing his season total to four.
Brownsville Pace hits the road for a tough contest against reigning District 32-5A champion Brownsville Porter at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
BROWNSVILLE VETERANS 3, BROWNSVILLE LOPEZ 2
At Brownsville, the Chargers held off the Lobos in a second-half shootout to hand Brownsville Lopez its first loss of the year.
Both teams held the other scoreless during the first half, leading to an explosive second half with five goals combined.
Three different players found paydirt for the Chargers, helping the team improve to 1-1-1 on the year.
BROWNSVILLE PORTER 5, MERCEDES 0
At Brownsville, the Cowboys dominated from start to finish against the Tigers, scoring three times during the first half and adding another two in the second.
Senior strike Alessandro Lara recorded a brace during the win, bringing his season total to three goals in two appearances. Duilio Espinoza, Isaiah Garza and Martin Gonzalez each added a goal.
The Cowboys have won two straight since dropping their district opener to Weslaco East.
