The Mineola soccer side fell to the visiting Grand Saline Indians, 3-1, in a spirited match last Monday.

Based on the earlier meeting between the two – Mineola defeated Grand Saline 2-0 on January 30 – the Yellowjackets likely expected to face a very aggressive Indians side from the opening kick. 

They got that and more as Grand Saline slotted a goal in the first minute of play. 

The Indians dominated the early game in the midfield and this contributed directly to their opening goal. After winning a contested ball in the midfield, the Indians attacked directly up the pitch. The mid-range shot tailed away from Jacket keeper David Reyes and shook the netting in the corner of goal. 

Mineola withstood further Grand Saline pressure as they fought to turn the tide of the play. At one point in the first half, the Jackets withstood a withering attack, blocking four point-blank shots on goal. In this sequence defender Eduardo Zavala made an excellent blocking save on a low, hard shot at the back post. 

The best chance of the first half for the home side also came early. Some nice combination play between Brayan Torres and David Delapaz attacking up the left side resulted in a deep throw-in. 

Delapaz took the throw-in, pivoted toward the middle of the pitch and sprang free of his marker. He had a clean strike on the ball but narrowly missed.

The Jackets did eventually turn the play and build some significant momentum in the later stages of the first half.  The anticipation and aggressiveness returned to the Jackets midfield, and the team began to find their passing lanes. However, they could not yet find the equalizer, and the game went to intermission with Grand Saline leading 1-0.

Halftimes are great for recalibrating and Mineola did just that. They came out like a new team in the second half. They were on the front foot from the moment play recommenced until Delapaz’ goal in the 47th  minute. 

The goal was so well-struck that even a partial block by the Grand Saline keeper could not keep it out of the netting. Delapaz was active all night, presenting Grand Saline with another threat as they tried to neutralize Jonathan Ledesma’s relentless attacks up the middle of the pitch. 

For most of the remaining time, the game was a see-saw affair, with Mineola retaining the majority of possession. Two isolated sequences spelled disaster for the Jackets. 

In the first case a high, soft corner kick somehow settled adjacent to the back post of the Jacket goal, and was headed home by a Grand Saline attacker. It almost appeared to be a fluke goal, but, they all count.

In the second case, and after repeated attacks by Mineola which appeared to be building toward another equalizer, Grand Saline mustered a counterattack. The attack up the left side was turned away, but the ball was not cleared. Grand Saline retained possession, maneuvered to the middle of the pitch and placed an excellent shot back into the short side corner. 

That third Grand Saline goal took some steam out of Mineola. Although the squad generated attack after attack in the closing minutes – once catching the Indian keeper far out of his goal – they could not find the back of the net.     

The Jackets have two games remaining in this year’s campaign. They host Lindale on Tuesday, March 19 and end the season at Chapel Hill on Friday, March 22.