Lopez dominates during Day 1 of BISD showcase

BROWNSVILLE — Brownsville Lopez enters this season with high expectations. Fresh off a regional final appearance, the Lobos are heavy favorites to make a deep run once again this season thanks to a loaded group of returners.

The postseason is still months away, but the Lobos look ready to back up the preseason rankings and predictions, with six different players finding paydirt en route to a dominating 6-2 victory over La Joya Palmview during Day 1 of the 42nd annual BISD Soccer Showcase.

Lopez wasted little time building a lead over Palmview on Thursday, with 2023 Herald/Star Player of the Year Diego Guerra powering a shot past the goalkeeper just 10 minutes into the contest.

Brownsville Lopez junior Diego Guerra (10) gets ready to shoot a shot during a game against La Joya Palmview on Thursday at the Brownsville Sports Park. (Courtesy Photo)

A through pass from senior Ramon “Chacho” Zuniga to Armando Rodriguez helped the Lobos add to their lead, with Rodriguez finishing the play with a goal to make it 2-0 just 15 minutes into regulation.

Zuniga added to the Lobos first-half scoring outburst during the 36th minute, making it 3-1 at the break.

The Lobos continued to roll during the second half, with Lopez taking a 4-1 lead on a score by Damian Resendez. Palmview managed to cut its deficit down to two during the 51st minute, with Fabian Montalvo netting his second score of the day to make it 4-2.

That’s as close as they’d get, with Jonathan Gomez and Enrique Uriegas each finding paydirt once to secure the 6-2 win.

Brownsville Lopez’s Jonathan Gomez (7) corrals a ball during a game against La Joya Palmview on Thursday at the Brownsville Sports Park. (Courtesy Photo)

The win advances to the Lobos to the semifinals of the Group A bracket. They’ll take on Edinburg Economedes at 1 p.m. tomorrow for a spot in the Group A championship game on Saturday. The Jaguars defeated Los Fresnos 2-1 to earn a spot in the Group A semifinals.

The Lobos and Jaguars were one of 32 teams taking part in this year’s BISD soccer showcase, including 22 of which made the postseason in their respective classes a year ago. Those 32 teams were broken up into four groups of eight, with each set to crown its respective champions Saturday.

In Group B, Brownsville Rivera and Harlingen High picked up wins during their respective matchups to set up a contest between the former 32-6A foes tomorrow.

The Raiders looked dominant during their Day 1 match, taking down Sharyland High 2-0 in a potential playoff preview.

Hairo Savala gave the Raiders the lead during the first half after corralling a loose ball inside the box and tapping it in for the goal. Adrian Prado put the final touches on the win during the 60th minute, putting Rivera up 2-0 and never looking back.

Brownsville Rivera’s Hairo Savala dribbles the ball during a game against Sharyland High on Thursday at the Brownsville Sports Park. (Courtesy Photo)

Meanwhile, Harlingen High used a four-goal second half to surge past 2024 Region IV-6A finalist Edinburg North during their opening day match.

Adrian Pacheco led the charge for the Cardinals, netting the first two goals of his varsity career during the win. Nereo Nunez and Gael Zuniga each added a goal to give Harlingen High the win.

The Raiders and Cardinals are set to face off in the Group B semifinals at 1 p.m. tomorrow on Field 3 of the Brownsville Sports Park.

For a look at all of the Day 1 action and tomorrow’s matchups, click here.

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