Boys soccer: Bronchos turn tables on Panthers in 3-5A showdown

Odessa High boys soccer coach Noe Cerezo will take the effort his Bronchos put forth Thursday in any game, no matter the result. Of course, the results probably would be favorable in most cases for OHS with the kind of performance it displayed in a 1-0 victory against Permian at Ratliff Stadium. Odessa High senior defender Ruben Tavarez used a bit of individual flair to create a 25-yard screamer for the game?s only goal with 50 seconds left in the first half. Though both teams certainly had chances to get on the board, the Bronchos for the most part did the job defensively to make the lone goal hold up and earn a season split in the ECISD derby. ?They played good,? Cerezo said. ?We had quite a few chances and we played well defensively and that?s what we?re trying to do right here. The bottom line is we came out with a (win), especially against Permian, so hopefully we can get back on track now.? Odessa High (11-7-2 overall, 5-4 district) won its second consecutive game while snapping a four-game winning streak for the Panthers (10-7-1, 6-3). The result probably meant more for Odessa High?s playoff chances since Permian still remains atop the district standings by virtue of more league victories than San Angelo Central and Midland Lee, which are both 5-3. But those are the next two opponents for the Panthers ? starting with a noon meeting against Lee on Saturday at Ratliff ? so there won?t be much time to mope. ?One thing we need to know for sure is that we can?t let this loss dictate anything,? Permian head coach Luis Carmona said. ?It?s big. It?s a crosstown rivalry and I know how bad the guys wanted it, but there?s a difference between saying it and coming out and proving it. ?We?ve been talking about this game all day and all week and I don?t think we performed to our expectations. That?s the way it goes and my hat?s off to OHS. They played hard and they were going after everything and we couldn?t finish our opportunities.? OHS had a handful of good looks in the first half, including a one-on-one opportunity by Mateo Vuelvas that forced a fine save from Permian goalkeeper Chris Benavides. Tavarez delivered the difference maker on what seemed to be an innocuous play when he began a run about 45 yards from goal. He split a few Permian defenders before unleashing a shot that sailed over Benavides and into the top of the goal. Teammates gave all the credit to Tavarez for the play after the game, knowing such a play meant the difference between a victory and a loss ? no matter the team?s effort. Tavarez, however, said the Bronchos? outlook and goal turned the tables on Permian. ?This is always a big game,? Tavarez said. ?It?s about consistency, like our coach always tells us.? Collin Greene, in particular, had a couple of good looks as did a few other Panthers players in the second half, but the OHS defense and sophomore goalkeeper Craig Branum did not crack in a second consecutive shutout victory. ?I knew all the kids wanted to play good,? Cerezo said. ?There?s no question about it. Hopefully we can keep it going.? District 3-5A Soccer Standings BOYS All District Team W L T W L Permian 10 7 1 6 3 San Angelo Central 11 7 0 5 3 Midland Lee 11 9 1 5 3 Odessa High 11 7 2 5 4 Midland High 6 9 6 4 5 Abilene Cooper 6 11 1 3 5 Abilene High 4 12 0 1 6 Thursday?s Scores Midland Lee 2, Midland High 1 Odessa High 1, Permian 0 Abilene High vs. Abilene Cooper, postponed (weather) Friday?s Game Abilene High vs. Abilene Cooper, 3 p.m. Saturday?s Games Midland Lee at Permian, noon Odessa High at Midland High, noon San Angelo Central at Abilene High, noon Monday?s Game Midland High at Abilene Cooper, 7 p.m. Tuesday?s Games Permian at San Angelo Central, 5 p.m. Abilene High at Midland Lee, 7 p.m.