Going Back: Red Ants cruise past Pirates, advance to state semis

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MERCEDES — Progreso head coach Damian Magallan looked calm and collected after one half of play against Hidalgo.

Despite being tied 0-0, the second-year head coach looked at his team and told them not to worry as the goals were coming.

Magallan’s prediction proved right, with the Red Ants scoring the game’s first goal just five minutes into the second half. Then came another and another as Progreso rolled past the Pirates 3-0 during the Region IV-4A DI finals Tuesday at Tiger Stadium in Mercedes.

The victory sends the Red Ants to the state semifinals where they’ll take on the Salado Eagles at a date, time and location to be determined.

“I’m so happy for this team,” Progreso captain Cesar Meza said. “We know what we’re capable of. Last year we saw our season end here, but we knew this season was going to be different. We knew we were coming out strong and with a vengeance mentality. Our objective has been clear all year. This is just another step. We’re going for that state title.”

Meza got the scoring going for Progreso, converting a penalty kick during the 45th minute to make it 1-0.

The goal marked the second game in a row Meza has scored the Red Ants first goal, sparking their comeback with a 75-yard goal during their regional semifinal against La Vernia on Saturday. He has three goals this postseason.

“It’s a big responsibility being the captain,” Meza said. “I’m very sure that we’re going to do things right though. I know I help the team a lot in picking things up. At the same time, they help me a lot. We’re a united team. I’ve very happy for me but more for them. We work hard every day to reach our goal.”

Miguel Chavez set up the Red Ants’ second goal just eight minutes later, tapping back a ball to Carlos Lopez. The midfielder made a quick move to create some space between him and a Hidalgo defender before curving the ball into the top right corner to make it 2-0. The goal was the fourth of the postseason for Lopez.

Progreso added the insurance goal during the 59th minute, with Kevin Garcia outrunning a pair of Hidalgo defenders before tapping the ball past the goalkeeper to give the Red Ants a comfortable 3-0 advantage.

“The first half we had to hold them off,” Progreso head coach Damian Magallan said. “Our last game we had the wind against us. This game again, but we had to play back and make sure they weren’t able to get anything against us. They weren’t able to do anything so in the second we were able to attack and get those three goals.”

Trailing by three goals, the Pirates turned the aggressor in search of a spark. The spark never came, with Progreso playing back and locking down Hidalgo to hold on for the win.

The Pirates end their season with a 23-1-3 overall record, including three playoff wins for their third regional final appearance in five years.

Meanwhile, the Red Ants avenge last year’s regional final loss, punching their ticket to the state semifinals for the first time since 2018. They’ll look to get back to the state championship game for the first time since 2016 against Salado.

“Last year we fell a step short,” Magallan said. “Thanks to God this season we are able to get there. We had to hold them off the first half so in the second half we can attack and make those three goals to win. We’re going to prepare ourselves for whoever comes next. We’re going to play our game so the Valley, the 956 can come out ahead and have a state champion.”

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