By RGVFútbol/Staff

BRENHAM, 23 Jan. - Valley soccer teams keep making history around Texas. This time it was Valley View’s turn when the Tigers routed Brenham 4-1 to win their second straight Select Cup 4A Tournament championship on Jan. 19 at Brenham’s Hohlt Park.

Valley View’s back-to-back titles marked the first time the feat has been accomplished in the 12-year history of the tournament.

The Tigers came close to also lifting the Champion of Champions trophy in the Select Cup match that pitted the 4A tournament champion against 5A champion Langham Creek. Valley View lost in penalty kicks 5-4 after playing to a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

"The semifinal match seemed a lot more difficult than the final against Langham," said Valley View head coach Damián Magallán, "Langham’s a complete team and it could’ve gone either way, but in the end penalty kicks were the ones to decide the game. They couldn’t believe a 4A team could hit them so often. Everyone seemed impressed and we left a good impression of Valley soccer."

Valley View striker José Ángel "Torito" Soto captured the Golden Boot Award after scoring 12 goals, including a penalty kick, in five games during the three-day competition. It was the second time "Torito" Soto won the Golden Boot and the first time in tournament history that a player has won the award two straight years in a row.

In the 4A championship match, Soto scored a hat-trick and Erick Martínez added another tally to lead the Tigers to an overwhelming 4-1 victory over Brenham.

Against Langham Creek in the Champion of Champions match, “Torito” scored in regulation time and added a penalty kick in the loss.

Valley View competed with fellow Valley side Roma in the 4A division, while Sharyland, Brownsville Porter, and Donna participated in the 5A division.

Porter reached the semifinals of the 5A division, where the Cowboys lost 3-0 to Clements.