Hawks outlast Wildcats on road for third straight district win

WESLACO — Harlingen South’s boys soccer team struggled to find victories during district play last season. They finished the 2023 district campaign with just three wins, one of which came via forfeit. Their third win didn’t come until their ninth district game.

The Hawks needed only three games, and no forfeits, to match last year’s win total this season, however, taking down Weslaco East 3-2 to improve to 3-0-0 in District 32-5A play Friday at Weslaco East.

“Last year, we only had two wins last year, so we had not a great season,” Harlingen South head coach Julian Robles said. “We’re working this year based off that. We talked to the boys and got them all together. We started offseason workouts, strength and conditioning and did everything we had to do to get better. These kids were hungry, and they’ve shown it far and beyond what I believed was possible.”

Powering Harlingen South’s third district win was Andre Salazar, with the junior recording a first half brace to give the Hawks a 3-1 halftime lead. Captain Javier Martinez scored the Hawks third goal.

Salazar set the tone for Harlingen South early during the contest, finding paydirt for the first time during the third minute of regulation.

The lead was short lived, however, with Weslaco East’s Marcos Garcia tying the game during the sixth minute off a corner kick.

The Hawks took control of the game once again just six minutes later, with Salazar placing a ball past the goalkeeper and into the bottom left corner to regive South the one goal lead.

Harlingen South junior Andre Salazar makes a move with the ball during a District 32-5A game against Weslaco East on Friday at Weslaco East. (Joel Martinez | The Monitor)

“What can I say about Andre (Salazar),” Robles said. “He’s been a staple on our offensive board. He’s been scoring quite a bit. He gets free. Our system is made up so he gets free, and he can get scores and look for those opportunities. He does a heck of a job finishing for us.”

A goal off a deflected on a penalty kick by Martinez added to South’s lead before the break, taking a 3-1 advantage after one half of play.

Trailing by two goals, Weslaco East went on the attack during the second half, cutting their deficit to one on a header by Eric Valdez off a corner kick.

That’s as close as the Wildcats would get, however, with the Hawks defense shutting out Weslaco East for the remainder of the game to secure the road victory.

The win gives the Hawks sole possession of first in 32-5A through the early part of district, improving to 3-0-0. Weslaco East drops to 2-1-0 in district play.

“Honestly, I thought we were going to stay up by two, but stuff happens,” Salazar said. “They scored on us, but it was fine. We’ll take 3-2. It feels good and I feel excited. It just motivates our team. Last year wasn’t our year, but this year is. I can promise that. District is going to get tougher but we’re going to build off of tonight.”

Harlingen South turns its attention to a road contest against Mercedes (0-3-0) at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Tiger Stadium in Mercedes.

The Wildcats will look to bounce back on the road against Edcouch-Elsa (0-3-0). The game is set for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Benny Layton Memorial Stadium.

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