The Mineola varsity soccer team stayed in the race for a district title with a thrilling 6-4 comeback victory over Mabank on March 19. The win against first-place Mabank moved the Yellowjackets into a tie for first place in the eight-team district.

“This is a big one,” commented Mineola Head Coach Shelby Turner prior to the whistle. “We are taking on the first-place team tonight, while we are in a three way tie for second. The other two second-place teams (Chapel Hill and Athens) play one another tonight, so it’s a big game for us.”

It was also senior night at Meredith Memorial Stadium as 12 Yellowjacket seniors were recognized with their parents before the start of the final home district game of the season. For 76 minutes of play, the game appeared to be a disappointing home finale, until the Yellowjackets rallied to tie the game and send it into penalty kicks.

The Mabank Panthers dominated first half play. They retained the ball for extended periods of time, often stringing together 10 or 15 passes in a possession. Mabank worked around the Mineola perimeter, backing the ball back out when the Jackets shut down an opening.

Defensively, Mabank contested Mineola striker Alex Rojas at every turn with a sweeper quickly closing to assist in shutting Rojas down.

The Yellowjackets had one good opportunity in the opening minutes, but a shot on goal did not materialize. Conversely, the Panthers had several early opportunities as they found room down the left side and ample freedom in the midfield. Just as in previous matches, the Jackets seemed as though they were wearing extra long cleats.

Forwards Rojas and Liberio Perez did combine for a nice attack in the 10th minute, and Nathan Rojas found himself in front of goal in the 11th minute, but his shot was blocked.

In the 13th minute, Mabank struck. After an overlap on the left side, Mabank executed a long crossing kick from deep in the left corner. The pass was beautifully headed down into the turf and skirted past goalkeeper Spencer Rhodes.

Shortly thereafter, Mineola goalkeeper Rhodes received a bone-crunching blow as he came out of his box in the 17th minute. Rhodes was replaced by Juan Maldonado, who had a number of excellent saves on the night. Rhodes would reappear to handle the penalty kicks.

The Panther score only increased Mabank’s confidence. The balance of the remaining first half was a Mabank clinic. The tempo of play indicated a second goal would be forthcoming, but Mineola hung in there. The Jackets struggled to clear the ball throughout the first half. At the break the score was Mabank 1-0.

The Yellowjackets began to attack the ball in the second half. The anticipation of passes in the midfield improved significantly, while the overall work ethic also increased.

Early in the second half, Mineola striker Alex Rojas turned on a long pass forward and had a clear run on goal. The Mabank defender reached out and pulled Rojas’ jersey preventing the breakaway. It earned the defender a red card and put Mabank down a man.

The Mineola surge lasted until the 55th minute, when Mabank seemed to take complete control of the game with a second score. The second goal came courtesy of a penalty kick.

The game turned much more physical in the second half. Collisions were common and the official struggled to keep the game under control. One trend emerged: the more Mineola got the ball forward the more frustrated Mabank was in defending Rojas and his physicality.

The game changer came in the 76th minute. After a long throw-in, Mineola’s Rogelio Delapaz headed the ball toward goal. The long header caught the Mabank goalkeeper out of the goalmouth. The ball flew over his head and bounced into the net.

With four minutes to play, the Yellowjackets staged an all-out assault on the Mabank goal. With only two minutes to play, Rojas was awarded a penalty kick, and he drilled the ball into the back of the net. The game was tied.

After such a monumental comeback, Mineola had the momentum, and it showed during the penalty kicks. Rhodes saved the first Mabank attempt, moving low and to his left to get both hands on the shot. The Panthers would send their third kick way high over the goal. Delapaz struck the winning penalty kick and the home side erupted in joy.