BACK IN: Lady ’Hounds claw into playoffs

San Benito Lady 'Hounds

San Benito Lady ‘Hounds

Special to the NEWS

The San Benito Lady ’Hounds soccer team is back in the playoffs, but it wasn’t easy getting there.

After a solid start in a new district—31-5A—the club was beset with injuries over the second part of the campaign and it took a gritty effort to qualify out of one of the Valley’s toughest leagues.

But San Benito’s season continues on Saturday when the girls open the Class 5A bi-district playoffs by hosting District 32-5A champion Los Fresnos at Bobby Morrow Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

“Our girls are excited and they’ve worked hard this year. This is a playoff team,” Lady ’Hounds coach Frank Ibarra said. “We’re excited to play on our home field where we practice every day. Los Fresnos plays on grass, so hopefully it’s a slight edge for us. We’re ready for a good game.”

The Lady ’Hounds finished the season 16-9 overall—including a 7-9 mark in district—resulting in 22 points and a fourth place finish behind McAllen High (45 total points), McAllen Rowe (42) and McAllen Memorial (40).

Powered by Co-captain Eva Rubio, one of the Valley’s top goal scorers, San Benito hung tough early, as shown by a 5-3 district mark which included a 2-1 overtime loss to eventual-champion McHi. Rubio, who finished with 47 goals on the year, was on a tear and all seemed well for the club.

But then the injury bug came along and forced the club to make some changes. One of the biggest losses was goalkeeper Mariana Perez, who was lost for the year with a knee injury. As a result, Natalie Perez was pressed into net duties and a host of other changes followed. In spite of the challenging second half, the Lady ’Hounds battled through the adversity and finished fourth in their district.

The remaining members of this year’s playoff club include Co-captain Veronica DeLeon, Jackie Cruz, Yuri Penablanca, Jasmin Gonzalez, Jayzmin Carrizales, Gloria Hernandez, Chantelle Pecina, Carmen Aguilar, Elizabeth Medina, Tasha Ruiz, Lily Polanco, Jackie Hurtado, Carla Garcia, Cayla Boe, Paola Fuentes, Esmer Estrella and Suleymi Juarez.

Now come the Lady Falcons, the 32-5A district champ which went 14-2 in district and won the title on the final night of the season. Los Fresnos features all-everything players including Ariana “Pinky” Castillo and Nora Cordova, who combined for well over 50 goals during the district season alone.

“They’re definitely a good team,” Ibarra said of the Lady Falcons. “And we’ve definitely gotta stop Nora and Pinky. If we can do that, we’ll have a chance for a great game.”

“Los Fresnos is going to be a challenge for us,” Lady ’Hounds assistant coach Eddie Gonzalez added. “They’re a talented group of players who play with confidence. But I can also say that our girls play hard. They play with a lot of heart and that’s been good for us.”

All in all, while his club is pleased to get back to the playoffs, they’re not satisfied with the accomplishment alone. They’re ready to spring what some would call an upset.

“We’re gonna go out and play hard,” Ibarra said. “I always tell the girls that hard work beats talent. That’s all I can ask of them.”

Permanent link to this article: https://www.sbnewspaper.com/2013/03/26/back-in-lady-hounds-claw-into-playoffs/

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