The Center Roughrider soccer team posted a 1-1 tie with Palestine on Friday and then dropped a 4-0 decision to Jacksonville on Monday night in a rain-shortened match at Roughrider Stadium.
Despite not being able to pick up a win, the 'Riders remain in fourth place in the District 35-4A standings and still in control of their own destiny in an effort to qualify for the state playoffs. Center is currently 2-4-1 in league play and 4-6-2 overall.
Center 1, Palestine 1 -- Playing in the friendly confines of Roughrider Stadium on Friday, Center took a 1-0 lead at the half, but had to settle for a 1-1 standoff with Palestine. Palestine stood at 4-0-2 in District 35-4A after the standoff, while owning a 12-5-6 overall mark.
Andres Chavez scored the lone goal for Center in the first 40-minute period.
"We played very well, getting some very good shots," said Center Head Coach Richard Ruiz. "Our problem is we just don't get enough of those good shots to connect. In the second half it was like we dominated, but couldn't get the crucial shots to get into the goal.
"I do see improvement every game and we'll need that if we want to make a run at the playoffs."
Jacksonville 4, Center 1 -- Jacksonville's Daniel Forry scored his 23rd goal of the year Monday night as the Indians came to Roughrider Stadium and took a 4-0 victory. The match was called before it was completed because of the steady rain falling.
The Tribe also received goals from Roy Alvarez (unassisted), Rodrigo Carreon and Anthony Velasquez. Velasquez and Alvarez also had assists in the match. The Indians are now 11-7-1, 6-0-1 in league play and will travel to Palestine for an 8 p.m. match on Friday. The match will take place at Westwood High School Stadium, due to renovations being done at Palestine’s Wildcats Stadium.
Center will travel to Nacogdoches Friday for its next action. The junior varsity will start at 5:30 p.m., with the varsity to follow at 7 p.m.