Brazos Valley Cavalry defeat Texas United and are crowned 2018 PDL Mid South Champions

Brazos Valley Cavalry, who entered the last week of the regular season in the Premier Development League’s (PDL) Mid South Division title race in the drivers seat, left nothing to chance by defeating Texas United twice to win the Championship.  The Cavalry ended the season with six consecutive victories and a plus-23 goal differential.  They both scored the most goals and conceded the fewest in the Mid South division this year.

OKC Energy, after losing a crucial home game to Brazos Valley last week, entered the week with both a chance to win the Championship and qualify for the Southern Conference Playoffs.  Unfortunately, despite doing what was necessary by winning 3 games in 4 days to end the season, fell short of both when the results in the other Southern Conference Divisions went against them.

The Cavalry (9-2-3) now advance to play SIMA Aguilas (10-2-2) in the Southern Conference playoffs this Friday evening in Statesboro, Georgia.  The Aguilas entered their final match Sunday night knowing they needed to win, both to become the Southeast Division champion and to qualify for the playoffs.  They accomplished both in style by blowing out FC Miami City 5-0 on Sunday night at Aguila’s home in Montverde, FL.  The other semifinal will pit host and undefeated South Georgia Tormenta FC (11-0-3) against the best second place finisher The Villages (FL) (9-2-3), who advanced over fellow Southeast Division foe Lakeland Tropics on tie-breakers.  The winners will advance to play the Southern Conference Championship on Saturday night, also in Statesboro,

Week 11 Recap

Tuesday, July 10:

FC Cleburne-3  Houston FC-2     The Depot, Cleburne

After falling behind on an early FC Houston goal by Bryan Celis, FC Cleburne recovered to score three unanswered goals from different scorers to win 3-2, their third home victory in 2018.

Brazos Valley Cavalry FC-3  Texas United-0     AirHogs Stadium, Grand Prairie

The Cavalry ended Texas United’s playoff hopes with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Texas United on the road.  Cavalry midfielder Marcelo Palomino, who joined the team after the Houston Dynamo Academy season ended, continued his streak of scoring in all of the limited number of games he has played with the Cavalry when he earned and converted a penalty in the 3rd minute.  Mason Schuster and Thomas Menke scored the other goals for Brazos Valley.

Thursday, July 12:

OKC Energy U23-3  FC Cleburne-0     The Depot, Cleburne

A 1st minute goal from midfielder Kalokwea Okot got OKC Energy U23 started in Cleburne and two goals from Louis Bennet completed the 3-0 win over FC Cleburne.  Cleburne finished their second season at 4-9-1 and a negative 22 goal differential.  Tim Ugo and Hikaruhito Meike were the joint leading goal scorers in 2018 with 5 apiece.

Friday, July 13:

Brazos Valley Cavalry FC-4  Texas United-1     Travis Field, Bryan

Brazos Valley Cavalry beat a short-handed Texas United side in Bryan to win the Mid South Championship Friday night.  Two goals from Brandon Guhl led the way and Brazos Valley outshot Texas United 23-3 on the night.  One big surprise at the match was to see AHFC Royals leading goal scorer Killian Colombie playing for Brazos Valley.  Since the Royals season had already ended, Colombie was in the starting lineup for this game and a friendly with FC Denton of the UPSL on Sunday only.  He will not be part of the squad sent to Georgia for the playoffs.  Hopefully Colombie was able to make a good impression on the Houston Dynamo staff coaching the Cavalry.  Texas United, who were in the playoff run until the final week of the regular season, finished 5-6-3 with an even goal differential.  United was led in scoring by Julio Vargas who finished with 9 goals in only 7 games.

Saturday, July 14:

OKC Energy U23-3  Houston FC-2     Oklahoma City University, OKC, OK

Houston FC completed a long end of season road trip with a close loss to OKC Energy FC U23, in a game that saw two own-goals, one by each side.  Houston FC finished its second season with a disappointing 2-8-4 record and were led in scoring by Ben Davidson with 3 goals.  A significant challenge throughout the season for Houston FC was slow starts.  The team was outscored 19-5 in the first half of their combined 2018 games.

Sunday, July 15:

OKC Energy U23-2  Corpus Christi FC-1     Oklahoma City University, OKC, OK

A 65th minute goal, his second of the week, from Kalokwea Okot led OKC Energy U23 to their third win in four days, 2-1 over the Corpus Christi FC Sharks in the final regular season match of the PDL Mid South season.  Matt Puig led OKC in scoring this season with 10 goals in 8 games, moving up into the PDL Top Prospects list (#48) in the last update issued.  Defender Louis Bennet, who scored some amazing free-kick goals this season, finished with 8 goals.  Corpus Christi, who finished their inaugural season at 6-6-2 and a 0 goal differential, traveled to Oklahoma City with a limited roster on Sunday.  They were led in scoring by Patricio Botello with 8 goals.

Mid South Division Standings

Team	GP	W	L	T	PTS	GF	GA	+/-
Brazos Valley Cavalry F.C.	14	9	2	3	30	42	19	23
OKC Energy U23	14	9	4	1	28	37	22	15
AHFC Royals	14	7	7	0	21	29	29	0
Corpus Christi FC	14	6	6	2	20	32	32	0
Texas United	14	5	6	3	18	32	32	0
FC Cleburne	14	4	9	1	13	20	42	-22
Houston FC	14	2	8	4	10	16	31	-15

Photos from Brazos Valley-Texas United July 13th match

(Courtesy of Marilyn Hodges-Marilyn MEH @travelingtralm1)

Cavalry Left Back Carlos Viveros (#3) scored in first half action

Former AHFC Royals forward Killian Colombie (#21) made an appearance for the Cavalry on Friday.

Cavalry forward Brandon Guhl (#9) scored his second goal of the night

Cavalry midfielder Mason Schuster (#22) in second half action against Texas United

Texas United Goalkeeper Hunter Harrison (who made 5 saves on the night) demonstrating that it is not an easy life being a goalkeeper

END OF REGULAR SEASON