McALLEN — Vicente Alvarez felt instant pressure when he arrived at McAllen High four years ago. The then-freshman was a product of RGV FC Toros Academy, setting high expectations for him from the moment he stepped foot on campus.
He admits the first couple of seasons were rough. Alvarez and the Bulldogs struggled during his first three seasons, failing to make the postseason each year. The rough patches nearly led to Alvarez walking away from the sport, his dad said, but his mom pushed him to keep playing, knowing he was a special talent.
After battling through a series of rough patches, it came full circle for Alvarez this season. He set a career high in goals and led the Bulldogs to the postseason for the first time in six years.
Along with a dominant senior season came an opportunity to play at the next level, with Alvarez signing his National Letter of Intent to continue his soccer career at St. Edward’s University on Wednesday at the McAllen High Gym.
St. Edward’s is an NCAA Division II program in Austin that competes in the Lone Star Conference.
“I don’t think it has fully hit me yet that I am going to get the opportunity to play at the next level,” Alvarez said. “As the days go by, I’m just grateful to have this beautiful opportunity happen to me. … At the beginning it was very tough coming from an academy and everyone knowing that. Not being able to perform and make playoffs my first three years was tough. Something inside of me just turned on this year, along with my teammates, too. Together we managed to get that playoff seed and capture a district championship.”
The senior forward is coming off the best season of his four-year career at McAllen High. The crafty playmaker netted 24 goals in 17 district games, ranking second in District 31-5A and tying for seventh in the RGV.
Alvarez’s impact was felt nearly every time he stepped on the pitch, scoring in 13 of 17 district appearances, including eight games with two or more goals. Even when he didn’t score, Alvarez’s sheer presence led to openings for his teammates.
“It has been nice seeing him develop over the years,” McAllen High head coach Fernando Segovia said. “I remember him during his freshman year. He was a little guy, but he was a hell of a player. You could tell he was going to develop. Everything finally came together in his senior year. His leadership, skills and effort, he’s just a complete player. I’m glad he got noticed by St. Edward’s and is getting picked up.”
Alvarez’s standout year helped McAllen High to a 12-2-2 record during district play, finishing as tri-district champions with Sharyland High and Valley View. The shared district title ended a seven-year championship drought for the Bulldogs.
His senior season is set to continue at least one more game, with the Bulldogs also securing a playoff berth for the first time since 2017, snapping a six-year streak without a playoff appearance.
They’ll take on the Donna North Chiefs during the Class 5A bi-district round at 8 p.m. Friday at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium.
“The goal is obviously state,” Alvarez said. “Right now though, our mindset is one game at a time. We’re focusing on the next game and then the next game, and hopefully keep going. Right now, we have that momentum and our confidence level is up there. We just have to put it into our playoff game against Donna North on Friday. Then into the next one and then hopefully all the way to state.”
Alvarez joins a men’s soccer team set to return to the pitch for the first time since 2019. The program was one of six discontinued by St. Edward’s in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The men’s soccer team was reinstated August 30, 2022, with Alvarez set to be a part of the team’s first recruiting class since the pandemic. Alvarez and the Hilltoppers are set to take the field in fall 2023.
