By RGV Fútbol/Staff

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BRENHAM, 22 Jan. - José Ángel “Torito” Soto scored nine goals and led Valley View to the Brenham Select Cup 4A championship over Austin Bastrop on Saturday in the Tigers’ first tournament venture outside the Rio Grande Valley.

Valley View slipped past Bastrop 1-0 on a strike by Soto to claim the 4A title Saturday afternoon, while Sharyland routed Mayde Creek 4-1 in the 5A final to set up an All-Valley Champion of Champions final that was played in the evening.

"It was a great experience, and it really helped us out physically and to see where we are at," said second-year Valley View head coach Damián Magallán. "We didn’t lose a single game (in regulation). In shootouts, well it’s a flip of the coin. I see the guys are playing more compact, and we’re finishing our plays."

“Everybody is really happy,” added Magallán. “We’ve never gone out (of the Valley) for a tournament.”

In the first round, the Tigers roared to a 6-0 win on Thursday over Houston C.E. King to qualify to the quarterfinals.

Valley View sent Houston Magnolia West packing with a 4-1 quarterfinal victory and did the same to Carrollton R.L. Turner with a 3-0 win on Friday to advance to the title match against Austin Bastrop.

After winning the 4A title against Bastrop, the Tigers won the right to face the 5A champion in what turned out to be an All-Valley Champion of Champions matchup against Sharyland.

The Tigers and Rattlers played to a 2-2 draw in regulation time. Sharyland slipped past Valley View 3-2 in shootouts to win their second championship of the three-day tournament.