LA JOYA — The La Joya Juarez-Lincoln Huskies found themselves in unfamiliar territory last season. For the first time in nearly four years, the Huskies suffered defeat in district play, ending their streak of 56 straight district contests without a loss.
The year still ended like the previous five had for Juarez-Lincoln, reeling off seven straight wins to close out district play and capturing their sixth straight district title and 10th overall.
Still, the season left a sour taste in the mouths of this year’s seniors, with the two district losses marking the first time in their careers they had fallen during league play.
Fueled by last season’s “down” year, the Huskies are gearing up to run it back, eyeing their seventh district title and possibly more.
“The two losses meant a lot to us seniors because we had never lost in district,” Juarez-Lincoln goalkeeper Miguel Campos said. “When we lost, we had to pick our heads up and not focus on those two games. We had to march on and support each other because we’re a family. We can’t let that bring us down.”
The road to No. 7 looks different than it has the past six years, no longer competing in Class 6A following realignment. This year they make the move to District 30-5A, joining city rival La Joya Palmview and last year’s district champion Rio Grande City.
“We are coming in with the same mentality of winning and getting in there,” Juarez-Lincoln senior forward Justin Puente said. “It is the same thing at the end of the day. We’re going to play our game and do what we need to do in practice.”
The move down also places them in the already loaded Region IV-5A, joining Valley powerhouses Brownsville Porter, Brownsville Lopez, Sharyland High and Rio Grande City to name a few.
“You’re supposed to feel like you’re dropping a level but looking at all the teams in Region IV-5A, it’ll be the contrary,” Juarez-Lincoln head coach Victor Ramos said. “It is going to be a very tight race. There are a lot of good teams, a lot of good competition. It is going to be a fun year.”
The Huskies are led by a senior-heavy group, with seven in the team’s starting lineup. Among those are midfielder Alan Zaleta and forward Justin Puente. The duo scored five goals each during district play last year.
Defensively, Juarez-Lincoln is anchored by senior goalkeeper Miguel Campos, a vocal leader inside the net tasked with guiding a young back line for the Huskies.
“The experience of having seniors helps us because a lot of these guys have played varsity for years,” Puente said. “That’ll help those few younger guys to get them ready. It’ll help us manage the game and control the tactical aspect on the field.”
Injuries, however, have kept some of their seniors out of the lineup to start the season, with five currently sidelined with injury. That hasn’t slowed down the Huskies, however, going 4-2-2 in non-district play with wins over 32-5A powerhouse Brownsville Lopez (3-0) and 31-6A contender Edinburg North (2-1).
They also opened district play with a 3-0 victory over Roma on Tuesday despite a shorthanded lineup.
“So far, we haven’t benefited from the experience,” Ramos said. “We haven’t had those seven players on the field together yet. Those who have been have shown their confidence and experience. It has helped us in the first important games.”
While a seventh straight district title is a goal for the Huskies, Ramos said, playoff success is more important. The Huskies missed the third round for a third straight year last season after failing to make it at least that far just once the previous 10.
For now, Juarez-Lincoln is focused on taking it one game at a time, with the conversation of a district title and more hopefully coming down the road.
“What we have done, it is very difficult to do,” Ramos said. “We knew a district loss was going to come eventually. To have that consistency for so many years is very difficult. … It is something we want to continue, but it’s a difficult thing to do to be able to have that consistency in district games. Like everything, we start at the beginning with the basics, being here, being responsible and practice. If it gives us another championship, the seventh in a row, we’ll welcome it with great pleasure. I don’t know how long it will last, but the most important thing is to keep improving and be better for the playoffs.”
The Huskies (1-0-0) continue their district season tonight at 7:30 p.m., taking on the Mission Veterans Patriots (1-0-0) at Mission Veterans Soccer Field.
