Rivera edges Hanna at home

When playing soccer in such a close, hotly contested conference as District 32-5A, it becomes imperative to win as often as possible, especially at home.

The Rivera Raiders did just that against the Hanna Golden Eagles on Friday by prevailing 1-0 on their home turf in a game that each team dearly wanted.

Juan Garcia’s header into the right corner from close range during the 73rd minute was the only goal of the match, and it helped the Raiders (3-1 district) stay close to defending 32-5A champion Lopez (3-0), which plays host to Pace (2-1) at 4 p.m. today. The match was pushed back one day due to a wet field at Lopez.

"We just want to keep adding points (with wins), especially during the first half of district," Rivera coach Salvador Garcia said. "We knew it was going to be tough. I told our players that we would be playing against an experienced team that is coached by the best coach around, in my opinion, in Juan de Dios Garcia.

"We took their best shot in the first half, I think," he added. "I told our players to just be patient and that sooner or later we would get them. We came up in the second half, and it’s kind of funny that we’ve been doing that in the past four games. I guess it takes a little bit of time for our players to adjust."

Hanna (2-2) had a couple of shots go off the crossbar during the first half and had an apparent goal waved off during the 18th minute due to a foul called on the scorer.

Rivera also prevailed in the 32-5A girls opener Friday as the Lady Raiders triumphed over the Lady Golden Eagles 4-0. They led 2-0 at halftime. Jovanna Rangel tallied two goals for the Lady Raiders (3-1) and teammates Sheila Trejo and Adriana Gonzalez each added one.

It was the first time in four district games that the Lady Raiders didn’t go to a shootout.

"Finally, we went through a game without having a shootout," Rivera girls coach Thomas Brashear said. "I think that our goalkeeper was happier about that more than anybody. She’s just a freshman, and she’s been put to the test (going to shootouts) in our first three games.

"It was an important win because it keeps us within three points of (district leader) Pace," he added.

Roy Hess writes for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him via e-mail at rhess@brownsvilleherald.com.