South Hills clinches district soccer title despite losing to North Side on penalties

By Shawn Smajstrla

Special to the Star-Telegram

Fort Worth North Side won the battle, but Fort Worth South Hills won the war. The Steers and Scorpions played to a 2-2 regulation draw Tuesday night, and though North Side prevailed 6-5 in a shootout, the result was enough for South Hills Scorpions to claim the District 13-4A title.

“Each one of these guys is like a son, and some of these guys I’ve been following them since they were very young,” South Hills coach Steve Andrews said. “And this is a real young team, too, but some guys really stepped up.”

North Side entered the game needing a regulation win to unseat South Hills atop the district standings, but it was South Hills (17-4-3, 8-0-2 in 13-4A) that struck first in the 21st minute behind Fabricio Lopez. He latched onto a diagonal ball into the right side of the penalty area and put it into the net.

Three minutes later, the Scorpions doubled their lead. Kevin Rodas was given time at the top of the penalty area and he lined up a hard shot into the lower left corner of the goal.

Trailing 2-0, North Side (14-7-4, 7-0-3) pulled one back in the 28th minute. Omar Rivera played a low cross from the right side and it found its way to Antonio Top, who slotted it home to make it 2-1.

The Steers then pulled even in the 37th minute. Benjamin Duenes launched a rocket shot from about 35 yards out that struck the crossbar and caromed back into the area, where Mauricio Gonzalez followed up and fired home the equalizer.

Second half chances were fewer and further between, but North Side had one final opportunity to steal the victory in the final minute. With the Scorpions defense on its heals, the ball was switched to the left side and Cristian Navarro found himself alone in front of goal, but his shot was right at South Hills keeper Ricardo Almanza.

North Side defeated South Hills in shootouts in both meetings this season, but still ends up with the second seed from District 13-4A.

“It’s definitely frustrating,” Steers coach Garth Briggamen said. “But it comes back to scoring goals and giving up goals. We put ourselves in a hole, down 2-0, but to come back and tie it up and have an opportunity to win it in the last 15 seconds, that’s what you’re looking for.”

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