Redeemed: Bloodhounds return to final ends in state title

ROUND ROCK — One year ago the Brownsville St. Joseph Bloodhounds found themselves just one win away from the program’s first state title.

Their title hopes were dashed away in the championship game, losing 2-0 to Legacy Christian.

The Bloodhounds wouldn’t be denied this time around, returning to state one year later and finishing the job with a 1-0 victory over Austin St. Michael’s in the TAPPS DII state championship game on Friday at the Round Rock Multipurpose Complex.

For nearly 70 minutes the Bloodhounds and Crusaders played to a scoreless draw, with both goalkeepers coming up with timely saves to keep the game 0-0.

Then in fitting fashion, the Bloodhounds dynamic duo of Claudio Torres and Diego Saldaña came up with the biggest play of the season.

After taking a pass at midfield, Torres lobbed a pass out front to a streaking Saldaña. The senior striker blew past his defender leaving him with just the goalkeeper to beat.

Saldaña drew the goalkeeper out before making a move and finding a wide-open net for the go-ahead score.

The goal marked the sixth of the postseason for Saldaña to go along with 26 during district play. Torres scored three goals during the Bloodhounds state title run, while also netting 21 during district play.

The equalizer nearly came for Austin St. Michael’s during the 72nd minute, but junior goalkeeper Rey Cisneros came up with his third save of the game to help secure the Bloodhounds victory.

Brownsville St. Joseph is the second RGV team to capture a state title this year, joining Harvest Christian who won the TAPPS 1A girls basketball championship just over a week ago.

The Bloodhounds finish the year with a 19-5 overall record.

ivan@themonitor.com

The post Redeemed: Bloodhounds return to final ends in state title appeared first on MyRGV.com.