For 23 minutes, the Mineola Yellowjackets gave the Lindale Eagles fits last Monday. The visiting Lindale squad labored to clear the ball out of their zone, and resorted to bombing the ball upfield. Meanwhile, the Jackets sent repeated attacks up each wing.

Then, in the form of a perfectly-delivered free kick, the Eagles scored. The left-footed strike went over a 5-man Mineola wall and found the upper corner on the long side of the goal.   

As can happen in the game of soccer, a singe goal can change the whole match. 

The momentum of the match swung to the visitors, who found their passing tempo. The midfield game turned in favor of the Eagles. They retained that advantage throughout the match, and defeated Mineola 1-0. 

The Jackets had their chances in the first half. Eduardo Zavala put a shot off the crossbar in the 6th minute. Moments later, Gorge Zavala headed a ball in the box on an excellent delivery from Kaleb Silverio. Zavala’s technique was spot on, heading the ball into the turf in front of goal, but Lindale saved the attempt. 

Later in the half, Gorge Zavala sent a sharp one-hopper in on goal, but it was also saved. As the half drew to a close, teammate Brayan Torres fed the striker twice for scoring attempts. The first shot went just wide, and the second, which featured a highlight reel run up the right side by Zavala, went into the side netting. 

In the closing seconds of the first half, the ball fell to Leonardo Villanueva in front of goal, but a shot was just not forthcoming. 

Mineola increased the pressure at the start of the second half, but searched in vain for an equalizer.  

Excellent sweeping by Jankarlo Ybarra, David Delapaz and Sebastion Klodnicki, and solid work in goal by keeper Johnny Rocha, kept the match close.  

Mineola’s efforts were undermined by the inability to take advantage of set-piece opportunities. The Jackets had ten opportunities in the form of free kicks in the offensive zone and deep throw-ins. 

Frustration grew, and the home side was awarded three yellow cards for overly aggressive play. 

The set-piece issues continued throughout the match and included a 23-meter free kick which sailed high in the closing seconds.

The highlight of the game had to be Gorge Zavala’s attack up the right side in the 65th minute. Zavala battled through two double-teams. He broke to the center of the field to line up his shot after leaving a number of Eagles in his wake. Numbers eventually caught up with him, but it was an amazing demonstration of persistence on the ball and creativity in getting to a shooting position. 

There have been some tough losses this season, as Mineola has played each team in district to the final whistle. This loss came on the absolute slimmest of margins. Mineola continues to play quality soccer.