GEORGETOWN โ Nothing in high school soccer can match the agony and thrill of a late winner in the UIL state soccer tournament.
San Elizario have faced both teams over the past 12 months, and on Wednesday night, Eduardo Marquez's 97th-minute penalty showed the Eagles the thrill part of the game.
Marquez' penalty, taken after a goal-mouth scramble with 2:07 left in the second overtime, gave San Elizario a 1-0 victory over Navasota in the Class 4A boys soccer state semifinals, clinching the state championship against Navasota. It was the only goal that won the match. Boerne on Friday afternoon.
Saneli aims to bring a fourth state championship back to the El Paso area.
To quote the team:
“Our fight is over,” coach Max Sappenfield said after his team's 23-game winning streak became its most dramatic winning streak. “Do you want me to remind you that last time we won in the last second of overtime? I remember the most important game, and it happened five minutes ago.”
Sophomore Angel Salas remembers losing 1-0 to Hidalgo in last year's state semifinals on a last-minute move.
“I've been part of a 90-minute winner twice. Once it was the opposition team. We scored a goal at the last minute. Now it's our turn and I'm glad it was on our side.” said Salas.
San Eli controlled most of the first 90 minutes with nine shots on goal to Navasota's three, but the Rattlesnakes spent part of the final overtime on the front foot.
penalty
It didn't matter when Marquez took a corner kick in the 98th minute, but Navasota keeper Juan Vargas, who made several great saves that night, couldn't walk the final line after forcing in a through ball. It happened when.
The ensuing corner kick rebounded and Noah Mendez took a shot, but it hit the crossbar. Vargas tried to launch the ball, but it caught Angel Valdez in the face as he tried to get the rebound.
The referee immediately called a penalty and issued a yellow card, sending Vargas off for the ensuing penalty.
Marquez stepped up and fired a shot into the top left corner of the goal, past reserve keeper Brandon Mayen.
“This is it. It's the first time I've gotten it so late. Everything is new to me,” Marquez said. “I was pretty confident I was going to score. I was never nervous, I was confident in my shot. It was a good shot.”
'This is fun'
This was a dramatic end to a match that seemed destined for a penalty shootout. San Elizario had better chances, but the team with injuries in the attacking line could not find the finishing touch. Navasota didn't have many chances, but Eagle keeper Steven Chiles stepped up when needed.
“This is fun,” Sappenfield said. “I can't talk about the past, but I can talk about the present. This is a fun moment, this is a fun moment. I was impressed with our fight. I'm impressed with this other team. I was impressed, they were physically healthy and came to us throughout the game.
“They didn't get many chances, but we got a lot of chances. I was very impressed with the team in that respect.”
Speaking of opportunities, San Eli will get another chance Friday to bring the Eagles' fourth title back to the border.
next
On Friday at 1:30 p.m. Mountain Time, San Elizario defeats Boerne (23-0) for the state championship.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com. @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.