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 Quarterfinals, with fans in tow.
Here are the H-Town teams (6A-Boys) primed to maintain their momentum in Round No. 3 of the UIL postseason this Friday and Saturday.
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6A Boys Soccer
*Record Format: W-L-T (Tournament games not included)
*List is ordered alphabetically
Cinco Ranch Cougars
2022-23 Regular Season: 9-3-5/Finished 3rd in District 19-6A
Head Coach: Ryan Searle
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 2-2 (3-1 Penalty Shootout) Win v. Ridge Point
- Area Round: 5-2 Win v. Houston Westside
Difference-Maker: Senior Forward Daniel Vargas-- The four-year starter who lead the team in scoring with 15 goals against district opponents, and has 17 overall.
Regional Quarterfinals Matchup: v. Seven Lakes
Clear Springs Chargers
2022-23 Regular Season: 9-4-5/District 24-6A Champions (8-1-3)
Head Coach: Kenny Webb
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 0-0 (5-4 Penalty Shootout) Win v. Alief Taylor
- Area Round: 2-0 Win v. Summer Creek
Difference-Maker: Junior MF Alexandro Quintanilla-- "He only has a couple of goals and 3 assists, but his skill level, ability to see the pitch, get his teammates where they need to be and refuse to lose attitude is what sets him apart," said Coach Webb. "He plays injured, doesn't complain and works hard every day."
Regional Quarterfinals Matchup: v. North Shore
Cypress Woods Wildcats
2022-23 Regular Season: 9-2-4/District 16-6A Champions (8-2-4)
Head Coach: Joseph Carmichael
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 4-1 Win v. Klein Cain
- Area Round: 2-1 Win v. Grand Oaks
Difference-Maker: "What sets this team apart is their willingness to lead no matter where they are — on the field, in the classroom, or from the bench," said Carmichael. "At the center of it all are our seniors! They’ve always put our team’s success above personal recognition."
Regional Quarterfinals Matchup: v. Tomball
Dobie Longhorns
2022-23 Regular Season: 12-0-3/District 22-6A Champions (10-0-2)
Head Coach: Justo Manrique
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 3-0 Win v. Humble
- Area Round: 1-0 Win v. Alief Elsik
Difference-Maker:Victor Hernandez (Sr. MF) & Jordi Garcia (Sr. F)--The pair of Dobie seniors connected to score the game's only goal. Garcia, who leads the team in goals, scored off of a pass from Hernandez (the team's assist leader) to send the Longhorns to Round No.3.
Regional Quarterfinals Matchup: v. Pearland
Katy Jordan Warriors
2022-23 Regular Season: 10-5-2/Finished 3rd in District 19-6A
Head Coach: Jason Meekins
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 4-1 Win v. Fort Bend Bush
- Area Round: 3-2 Win v. Cypress Ridge
Difference-Maker: Sophomore MF Marcelo Ojeda & Senior CB Ben Bucic-- Bucic scored the game-tying goal near the end of regulation, and Ojeda sealed Jordan's victory with a goal in OT.
Regional Quarterfinals Matchup: v. Katy Paetow
Katy Paetow Panthers
2022-23 Regular Season: 10-2-5/Finished 2nd in District 19-6A
Head Coach: Vincenzo Vaccaro
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 5-0 Win v. George Ranch
- Area Round: 4-3 Win v. Lamar
Difference-Maker: Sophomore Forward Cesar Garcia-- Led the Panthers attack, scoring twice, while providing support on the defensive side of the ball.
Regional Quarterfinals Matchup: v. Katy Jordan
MacArthur Generals:
2022-23 Regular Season: 15-0/District 14-6A Champions (14-0)
Head Coach: Salvador Fernandez
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 2-0 Win v. Conroe
- Area Round: 4-0 Win v. Cypress Springs
Difference-Maker: MacArthur's Backline-- The stalwart Generals defense, led by senior Cristian Lopez (who scored the opening goal) shut out the Cy Springs attack to continue their postseason opponents' scoreless streak.
Regional Quarterfinals Matchup: v. The Woodlands
North Shore Mustangs
2022-23 Regular Season: 11-4-2/Finished 4th in District 21-6A
Head Coach: Richard Hurtado
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 3-1 Win v. Pasadena
- Area Round: 1-0 Win v. Strake Jesuit
Difference-Maker: Junior Forward Ahmed Pecero-- Scored the lone goal of the match, bringing his season total to 35.
Regional Quarterfinals Matchup: v. Clear Springs
2022-23 Regular Season: 10-2-8/Finished 3rd in District 23-6A
Head Coach: Scott Macneish
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 4-2 Win v. Dickinson
- Area Round: 2-1 Win v. Kingwood
Difference-Maker: Senior Forward Yousef Elnokali--Has scored 4 goals to lead the Oilers' attack through the first two rounds of the postseason. He, along with with Senior Defender Ashraf Adi, will play major roles in Pearland's playoff hopes.
Regional Quarterfinals Matchup: v. Dobie
Seven Lakes Spartans
2022-23 Regular Season: 15-1-1/District 19-6A Champions (15-0-1)
Head Coach: Jim Krueger
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 2-0 Win v. Fort Bend Austin
- Area Round: 2-0 Win v. Bellaire
Regional Quarterfinals Matchup: v. Cinco Ranch
The Woodlands Highlanders
2022-23 Regular Season: 19-2-2/District 13-6A Champions (14-0-2)
Head Coach: Jason Fanning
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 6-0 Win v. Spring Westfield
- Area Round: 2-1 Win v. Cypress Lakes
Difference-Maker: Senior MF Gaspar Markez-- Scored the winning goal by way of a 25-yard rocket to the top corner of the goalpost.
Regionals Quarterfinals Matchup: v. MacArthur
Tomball Cougars
2022-23 Regular Season: 9-3-2/District 15-6A Champions
Head Coach: Martin Metcalf
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 2-1 Win v. Langham Creek
- Area Round: 2-1Win v. Aldine
Regional Quarterfinals Matchup: v. Cypress Woods