SAN BENITO — With the 2017 IWFA playoffs in full swing, the Rio Grande Valley Clovers welcomed in the South Texas Phoenix on Saturday.
Despite a valiant effort, the Clovers fell shy 54-29 in their Division II playoff contest Saturday night at Stookey Park in San Benito. The Phoenix will now play the RGV Vixens in the second round of the postseason next week.
In the first quarter, the Clovers trailed 7-0. But Clovers running back Mindy Barrientes got the scoring started on what was a busted play, turned six. Barrientes managed to recover her own fumble and took it in for the touchdown.
After a defensive stop from the Phoenix, they managed to add to their lead and went up 20-7 at the half. The Clovers would rely on the hard-nosed running of Barrientes, who scored three more times in the second half. After her third score the Clovers cut into the lead 41-29 late in the third.
A couple of late touchdowns would later seal the deal for the Phoenix.
