With an unexpected boost on the sidelines, John Tyler secured a 2-0 victory over Jacksonville in the Lions’ final game before the start of district play on Tuesday at Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium.
Jose Valdez gave JT the lead off an assist from Gerardo Lopez 25 minutes into the game before goalie Daniel Montoya made a one-on-one stop to keep the Lions ahead.
Naid Pineda then fired in a shot from 25 yards out to up JT’s lead to 2-0. Luis Melendez played in goal in the second half for the Lions to complete the shutout.
“Everyone had an outstanding game,” JT coach Howard Story said. “Everybody stepped up, played well — especially our goalies.”
Orlando Gregorio was on the sidelines cheering the Lions on to bring a boost to the team, Story said. Gregorio, who was a member of JT’s 2011 sectional finalist squad, was recently paralyzed after being shot in late December at a park in Tyler. Story said it was his first public appearance since the incident.
John Tyler (8-3) opens district play on Monday against Athens at Rose Stadium.
Prior to the match, the Lions JV squad won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Luis Duran.
Red Raiders blank Longview
LONGVIEW — Robert E. Lee senior Lumi Kaba’s goal rampage continued with the Red Raiders blanking Longview 2-0 Tuesday at Lobo Stadium.
Kaba struck twice in the second half, moving his season goal tally to 16 in 11 games.
The Red Raiders (2-0, 6 pts in District 12-5A) moved into first place in the league standings with defending district champion Longview (1-1, 3 pts) suffering its first district loss.
“It was kind of a slugfest in the first half with both teams playing sloppy,” Lee coach Marty Germany said about the scoreless opening 40 minutes. “We had better possession in the second half.”
With 26 minutes remaining in the game, Sergio Molina broke down the sideline and crossed into the box with Kaba needing only to redirect it into the net. Kaba did the honors all by himself with 11 minutes left, thrashing a free kick into the top corner.
“It’s a good start for us, but then again, it’s two games out of 12 (in district) that we have to play to get through this,” Germany said. “But it’s also good to be 2-0.”
The Red Raiders are now 7-3-1 overall and keeper Henry Plancarte recorded his fourth consecutive clean sheet.
Cougars held to 0-0 draw
CARROLLTON — Neither Grace Community nor Carrollton Prince of Peace could break through in a 0-0 draw in TAPPS D-II District 2 action Tuesday.
The set back was the first for the Cougars (9-6-3, 6-0-1) in league play, though they remained unbeaten.
Grace outshot Prince of Peace 11-7, but the Eagles, defending Division III champions, held an advantage in corners (3-2) and shots on goal (4-3).
Marc Ritthaler made four saves in goal for the shutout for the Cougars, who take a week off before hosting Dallas Shelton at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 12.
Latson scores 4 to propel Brook Hill
BULLARD — Behind four goals from Caleb Latson, Bullard Brook Hill twice rallied from a goal back to defeat Dallas Lutheran 4-2 on Tuesday.
The Guard (6-2, 3-0) stayed unbeaten in TAPPS D-III District 2 with the win, which included three assists from Gyouo Choi.
Brook Hill fell behind 1-0 and 2-1 but led 3-2 by halftime. The Guard will travel to play Irving The Highlands at 6 p.m. on Friday.