Sharyland opens BISD tourney title defense with win over Porter

BROWNSVILLE — Sharyland High’s Yezleen Pena’s brace was the difference Thursday morning as the Rattlers defeated Brownsville Porter 2-0 to begin group play of the Brownsville ISD girls soccer tournament.

Sharyland High is the defending BISD tourney champs, beating Brownsville Porter last year and was in control of the rematch, the first of three matches for all teams on Thursday.

“We are very happy for it being our first game, and not having the whole team for the last 10 days, it is always difficult to start in a situation where you are in a tournament,” Sharyland High head coach Mario Ribera said. “We are very happy with the performance.”

Ribera said that even though they have a young squad this season, they hope to be in the final on Saturday defending the title.

Pena threatened Brownsville Porter’s goal from the start, but could not beat the Cowgirls’ keeper until late in the 20-minute first half when she played a smooth one-two with playmaker Rachel Andaverdi.

Pena found the corner after creating space with her teammate to give the Rattlers a lead at the break.

“I think it was really good” Pena, a senior, said about the combination with Andavedri. “We have really good camaraderie in-and-out of school, so it is expected.”

The senior forward picked up her second to seal the match after dribbling and combining with teammates. A blocked shot fell kindly to Pena who was alone in the box following her run, she finished easily.

“I just felt like I was in my zone, especially because I am with the people that I am really comfortable with,” Pena said.

Brownsville Porter had some moments higher up the pitch. Forward Samantha Alvarez fired in a couple of decent crosses but no Cowgirls on the other end.

Porter is one of seven BISD host sites and would finish second in the group behind Sharyland High.

The top two in each group moved on to form their own groups for the gold bracket while the bottom half will play for spots in the consolation bracket for Saturday.

Brownsville Rivera, PSJA Southwest, Brownsville Lopez, Corpus Christi Carrol, Weslaco High, Hidalgo, Brownsville Veterans, Corpus Christi King, PSJA North, Edinburg Economedes, La Joya High, Mission Veterans, Donna North and San Benito joins Sharyland High and Brownsville Porter vying for the spots in the gold bracket on Saturday.

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