Delta Streets Academy sophomore Danny Vargas scored five goals on Monday night — bringing his season total to 61, which leads the nation this winter according to MaxPreps — leading Lions to a 9-0 win against Porter’s Chapel in the first round of the Division III playoffs at Mississippi Valley State.
DSA (20-3) advances to a semifinal matchup with St. Joe slated for Thursday, but it may be rescheduled due to rain in the forecast. The Lions beat the Fighting Irish by a combined 15-1 margin in two meetings this season.
DSA sophomore Christian Ledesma added two goals and two assists. With his 61st goal of the season, Vargas is close to tripling his goal total last year as a freshman (22).
“I would think it’s got to be a record in Mississippi somewhere because we’re not a big soccer state,” DSA head coach Connor Altman said of Vargas’ scoring output. “I’ve done my best to play legit competition and he’s still put up 61 goals.”
After last year’s 2-1 loss to Laurel Christian in the Division III championship, Altman made it a mission to develop a strong supporting cast surrounding his young star.
This season, the Lions have five players other than Vargas with at least six goals, up from just one last year.
“We have a bunch of kids who are very capable of spending time on the ball, of creating chances, of finishing chances with or without Danny,” Altman said. “So that’s been a huge help. I think that’s why you see him having the success that he has. He’s got a supporting cast who is very capable in their own right.”
- Contact Riley Overend at 662-581-7237 or roverend@gwcommonwealth.com.
