The UIL Soccer Area Round provided another series of intense competitions between the finest clubs Texas has to offer.
Following some exceptional performances, which featured a myriad of nail-biters on the pitch, several Houston teams are advancing to the Regional Quarterfinal with fans in tow.
Here are the H-Town teams (5A-Boys) primed to maintain their momentum in Round No. 3 of the UIL postseason this Friday and Saturday.
5A Boys Soccer
*Record Format: W-L-T (Tournament games not included)
*List is ordered alphabetically
Fulshear Chargers
2022-23 Regular Season: 10-4-3/Finished 2nd in District 20-5A
Head Coach: Arturo Trevino
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 3-1 Win v. Galena Park
- Area Round: 6-0 Win v. Baytown Lee
Difference-Maker: Senior MF Kyle Saulter-- "Our MVP for the Area round was No. 8, Kyle Saulter," said Coach Trevino. "He brought energy to win the ball back in the midfield and was able to hold Lee’s key players in check the whole game. He also contributed an assist to us."
Regional Quarterfinals Matchup: v. Goose Creek Memorial
Fulshear Soccer following their Round 2 winPhoto provided by Fulshear HC Arturo Trevino
Goose Creek Memorial Patriots
2022-23 Regular Season: 13-0-2/District 17-5A Champions (9-0-1)
Head Coach: William Freeman
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 3-0 Win v. Friendswood
- Area Round: 4-0 Win v. Houston Madison
Difference-Maker: Senior Kevin Muratalla--The 2022 District (22-5A) MVP had two assists off of GCM's set pieces, which were essential in the Patriots' victory, according to Coach Freeman.
Regional Quarterfinals Matchup: v. Fulshear
GCM Soccer following their Rd. 2 winPhoto provided by GCM HC William Freeman
Santa Fe Indians
2022-23 Regular Season: 7-4-7/Finished 3rd in District 18-5A
Head Coach: Josh Kluka
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 2-1 Win v. Crosby
- Area Round: 5-4 Win v. Sharpstown
Difference-Maker: Senior Jairo Hernández-- "Hernandez was directly involved in all five goals and changed the momentum of the game," said Head Coach Josh Kluka. "Every time he got on the ball in the second half he was dangerous."
Regional Quarterfinals Matchup: v. Houston Wisdom
Santa Fe Soccer prior to their Area Round matchPhoto provided by Santa Fe HC Josh Kluka
Wisdom Generals
2022-23 Regular Season: 18-0/District 19-5A Champions
Head Coach: Fidel Andrade
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 3-1 Win v. Lamar Consolidated
- Area Round: 1-0 Win v. Baytown Sterling
Difference-Maker: Senior Captain Luis Cacho-- scored the game-winning goal and was named Wisdom's Man of the Match
Regional Quarterfinals Matchup: v. Santa Fe
Wisdom's Luis CachoPhoto provided by Wisome HC Fidel Andrade