Nava, Grandes beat West Texas

EDINBURG — Juan Nava scored in the 12th minute and assisted on two goals to help lead the Rio Grande Valley Grandes to a 3-0 win over the West Texas United Sockers (3-5) on Saturday at Edinburg Baseball Stadium.

It became clear early that any tactical decision the team makes offensively should involve Nava. Last week against Baton Rouge, Nava sat out the first half for what Grandes player/coach David Oteo called a “tactical decision.” It didn’t work as the Grandes (2-7) were shut out.

A week earlier Nava scored four goals in the Grandes’ first win in franchise history. Oteo also sat himself out during the first half of last week’s game but played a full 90 minutes Saturday.

This week, Nava started and hovered around the goal all night. He had three shots on goal in the first half, scoring on a diving header off a Mario Perez corner kick in the 12th minute that gave the Grandes a 1-0 lead.

“(Oteo) put me up top,” Nava said. “We were playing a 4-5-1 and it played to my strengths and that’s how we got it done. You have to give him credit.”

Nava also had chances in the 38th and 40th minutes to score. He had a one-on-one situation in the 38th minute but his shot was blocked by Sockers goalkeeper Leif Craddack.

Nava also found Misael Lopez for a goal in the 43rd minute. Lopez bulldozed his way past a Sockers defender to give the Grandes a 2-0 lead. Nava’s second assist came in the 88th minute when he passed to Perez for a goal. It was his second goal of the season.

Perez said Saturday’s outcome is an indication that the team is getting better offensively.

“Offensively, we were way better,” Perez said. “Now, we are keeping the ball more. We are scoring and that’s a good thing.”

The Grandes, who have only seven matches remaining, hope the win will propel them to more victories during the second half of the season.

“It is just a matter of practice,” Oteo said in Spanish. “We have put a lot of emphasis on attacking and practicing offense a whole lot. That is why you are seeing goals now.

“The team work very hard and are very diligent in practice. You saw the results (Saturday).”

SHOTS ON GOAL: The Grandes will hit the road for matches against West Texas next Friday and El Paso on Saturday.

Peter Rasmussen covers sports for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4448.