SA MacArthur too much for Edinburg North

SAN ANTONIO - For a team that had just lost a regional semifinal 5-0, the Edinburg North Lady Cougars were surprisingly upbeat just minutes after the game.

There were no tears and only a few frowns. Most of the players were either wishing district rival Harlingen South luck in their game or congratulating each other on one of the school's finest seasons, one that ended with its first trip to the regional and a second-place finish in District 31-5A.

"We worked so hard, but the girls know that just the fact that they're here... it was a challenge," Edinburg North coach Danny Valdez said. "It's an honor to be here."

Valdez was certainly right about the challenge, and within the first 10 minutes, it was apparent how the game was going to play out. MacArthur's Jessie Petit said she could tell what kind of game it was going to be when "we ran by them" for the first time.

"We had to keep our composure because you start wanting to go and do your own thing," Petit said. "We had to play as a team."  

Because of that speed, San Antonio MacArthur was going to control the ball, while the Lady Cougars had to try to hold on and keep the game close. And they did for one half, allowing only Anja Rosales to head a cross past Edinburg North goalie Paige Gutierrez with 23:34 left in the first.

However, in truth, the game wasn't nearly as close as that 1-0 halftime margin. The Brahmas' Brenna Smith, Kelsey Falcone and Petit were easily able to run past Edinburg North's defense, creating numerous chances but only that one goal.

"We weren't finishing in the first half. I told them to play with more intensity," MacArthur coach Lisa Mazur said. "They needed some more concentration to get some goals."

Whether it was concentration or just better execution, the Brahmas got the goals in the second half. Playing against an Edinburg North team which chose to use just one forward, the Brahmas had seemingly all of the offensive chances in the final 40 minutes. But, unlike that first half, the Lady Cougars were unable to hold off the Brahmas, allowing four goals.

"We're a second-half team, we really are," said Petit, whose goal with 21:22 left in the second half gave the Brahmas a 3-0 lead. "We warm up and we're doing OK and then we just go."

Valdez and the Lady Cougars would certainly agree with that, although the only real difference between the two halves was the Brahmas' finishing. Goals by Petit, Rosales, Lauren Rickett and Alanna Padilla gave one of San Antonio's top teams the kind of margin it expected.

It also dampened, albeit slightly, what the Lady Cougars did this season.

"It was a great season," Valdez said. "Any time you make it to the semifinal, it's a great season."

Brian Sandalow covers high school soccer for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4436.