CORPUS CHRISTI — The Brownsville Porter Cowboys’ season came to an end Saturday at Cabaniss Field with a 2-0 loss to the Dripping Springs Tigers in the Region IV-5A championship match.
“Very proud of our players,” Porter coach Jose Espitia said. “Last year we graduated 14 players, and it is hard to come back from a loss like that. We lost some key players, and the kids came back, worked hard and believed in themselves.”
The Tigers were rewarded with the first goal during the 23rd minute after a strike from co-captain Adam Knutson. Dripping Springs deserved the goal and was the dominate side for long periods in the first half.
“I do not even know what happened,” he said. “I just saw the ball bouncing around the box, hit it and watched it go in.”
Porter grew during the match and should have leveled midway through the second half, but the chances were not capitalized on.
It looked like the Cowboys would seize on the momentum, but after a lull in the play it was Dripping Springs that started re-establishing its dominance.
The Tigers gave no space to Porter playmaker Julian Gallegos, they closed down attackers well, often came out the better on 50-50 challenges and used their size to create chances in dangerous positions.
Drippings Springs’ Brenden Gajewski put the match away during the 73rd minute.
“We lost to a very good team, athletic team, well-organized … all respect to them, and we wish them well in the state tournament,” Espitia said. “I am really proud of our players. They fought until the last minute. That is soccer and life. Sometimes you give it your all, you work as hard you can and sometimes it does not result in success.”
