HIDALGO — Valley View goalkeeper Ruben Gloria isn’t afraid of going toe-to-toe with opponents during penalty kicks.
The Tigers’ man in the box claims to have the secret to stopping shots.
“First things, I just focus on the ball. I look at the ball, then how the player lines up with it,” Gloria said. “That is, I guess you can say, my secret to stopping the ball. More than anything, though, I put my team in my mind. I know I have to do my part to help them come out on top.”
Gloria’s confidence in his ability has shown during the Tigers’ previous two penalty shootouts, with Valley View coming out on top during both.
His “secret” method was put to the test for a third time this season Tuesday, with Sharyland High and Valley View going into penalty kicks after playing to a 2-2 draw at the end of regulation.
The senior goalkeeper demonstrated why he is so confident in the box, coming up with two big saves as the Tigers outlasted the Rattlers 4-3 in the shootout at Tiger Stadium in Hidalgo.
“It gives you security having this kind of goalie,” Valley View assistant coach Damian Magallan said. “In the three shootouts we’ve been in, he’s gotten us out on top. Tonight wasn’t an exception. It gives you the confidence going in that we have a very secure goalkeeper and we’re going to win it.”
The victory in penalty kicks nabs Valley View two points, with Sharyland High earning one for the tie in regulation.
Despite the two points, Valley View drops to second in the District 31-5A standings with 33 points. McAllen High moves into sole possession of first with 34 points following its 3-1 win over PSJA Memorial, and Sharyland High drops to third with 32 points.
“Right now, we’re feeling very happy but we need to keep going forward with this momentum,” Gloria said. “We can’t let our guard down and have to keep working for our goal.”
Valley View drew first blood during the contest, with senior forward Ever Arredondo finding the back of the net during the 32nd minute. Arredondo delivered a powerful strike from the middle of the box, with the shot ricocheting off the goalkeeper’s glove and into the net.
The Tigers built on their lead during the 48th minute, with midfielder Emiliano Villegas sending a long arching shot into the bottom left corner of the net to make it 2-0.
With his team trailing 2-0 early in the second half, Sharyland High forward Kevin Zepeda went to work in attempting to rally his team.
The crafty striker demonstrated his speed and ball-handling ability near the midway point of the final period, weaving through the Valley View defense before finishing the play with a cannon shot directly past the goalkeeper to make it 2-1.
Not long after, Zepeda made his presence felt again, drawing a foul inside the box to set up the game-tying penalty attempt for Jose Sanchez. The senior forward converted the shot with ease, tying the game at 2 with 23 minute remaining.
Both teams had opportunities to win the game during the final minute, with Sharyland High’s Edward Morales getting back-to-back shots inside the box. Both were denied by Gloria, who quickly recovered after the first attempt to corral the second.
On the other side, Valley View’s Peter Yanez delivered a strike on a bicycle kick as time expired, but the shot was no good, with Sharyland High goalkeeper Jesus Juarez flying to the ball to deny it and send the game into penalty kicks.
Valley View took care of business in penalties, with four of its five shot takers converting their attempts, including the go-ahead score by Diego Mendoza.
“This was the game I told the kids we needed to win points in no matter what,” Magallan said. “Winning this game can give us the boost to win the district title. We have other games, but we know that by working hard and doing what we did today, we can win that district championship, our first goal.”
The Tigers (9-2-3) wrap up their two-game homestand at 6 p.m. Friday against McAllen Memorial (4-10-0) at Tiger Stadium in Hidalgo. The Rattlers (9-1-4) return home for a match against McAllen Rowe (5-6-3) at 6 p.m. Friday at Richard Thompson Stadium in Mission.
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Twitter: @ByIvanPalacios
