Queens, Rams open district soccer with wins

By Brian Argabright [email protected]
Del Rio’s boys and girls soccer teams returned to the pitch Friday night to kick off their district schedules and mark what would hopefully be the first step in the return to the playoffs for both teams. The Queens soccer team was at home Friday night hosting the Laredo LBJ Lady Wolves. Del Rio jumped out to a 2-0 lead thanks to goals by Noelia Ibarra and Layla Mendez, with an assist by Keliana Turner, before LBJ cut the deficit to 2-1 by halftime.
“We were winning 2-0 midway through the first half, but LBJ kept battling and caught us off guard on a long ball we missed. We then committed a PK. They got on the board and gained some momentum,” Queens head coach Wilber Rivas explained.

Del Rio sealed the win in the second half when Carolyn Valdez found the net for the Queens’ third goal in what was eventually the game winner.
“In the second half, (LBJ) kept coming and tied the game. We kept calm and continued to play our game, just a bit more aggressive and with purpose. Carolyn Valdez received a ball from the middle and was able to outrun defenders on the right side of the field and scored on a one-versus-one against their goalkeeper,” Rivas said.
It was a clean sweep for the Queens as their junior varsity team took care of business, handing the sub-varsity Lady Wolves a 10-2 defeat. Del Rio has its eyes on a deep run in the playoffs this season. The Queens reached the postseason last year as the runners-up in District 30-6A.
They took on the San Antonio Warren Warriors in bi-district and were knocked out of the playoffs with a 3-1 loss. It was the second straight season the Queens finished second in the district and ended the season in the first round of the postseason. Del Rio’s girls fell 5-0 to San Antonio O’Connor in bi-district in 2023.
The Queens’ last playoff win came in the 2022 season. Del Rio won the district crown and took on San Antonio Harlan in bi-district. They beat the Hawks 1-0 to advance to the Area round, but the Queens suffered a heart-breaking 2-1 loss to Edinburg Vela to bring an end to a successful girls soccer season. The Del Rio Rams soccer team was also victorious in its district opener, handing the LBJ Wolves a 2-1 loss on its home field in Laredo.
Del Rio took a 2-0 lead behind goals from Luis Flores, with an assist from Josue Fernande, and Rodolfo Pina, with an assist from Jose Vielma. LBJ scored in the second half to cut the lead to 2-1, but the Rams defense clamped down and made sure the Wolves could get no closer and secured the win. Like the Queens, the Rams are looking for some playoff redemption this season. Last season the Rams reached the playoffs as the fourth place team in 30-6A and were knocked out in the first round by Harlan, 6-0.
​The Rams’ last playoff win came in 2023 when the team beat San Antonio Brennan, 4-0, before losing in the area round to Harlingen, 3-2.