This past weekend’s Regional Quarterfinals showcased just how talented Houston Class 6A Girls Soccer is.
In the Sweet-16 round of UIL Playoff Soccer, six teams from the Houston-area remain.
From Bridgeland to The Woodlands, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if any of these remarkable clubs will be competing for the State Championship in two weeks.
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6A Girls Soccer
*Record Format: W-L-T (Tournament games not included)
*List is ordered alphabetically
Bridgeland Bears
Photo acquired via Twitter: @BridgelandGS
Bridgeland Bears
2022-23 Regular Season: 14-0-1/District 16-6A Champions (13-0-1)
Head Coach: Kaitlyn Bourgeois
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 4-1 Win v. Tomball Memorial
- Area Round: 1-0 Win v. Grand Oaks
- Regional Quarterfinals: 1-0 Win v. Tomball
Round 3 MVP(s): "We all know that our big players are stepping up big time, but in order to have success, we need all 23 players executing their role to the best of their ability," said Coach Bourgeois. "Every win has featured career highlight worthy performances from multiple players, and the support from our bench has been crucial."
"Our family and friends in the stands have also been our MVPs as well They continue to show up for us, get rowdy, decorate our playoff busses, provide awesome goodie bags, celebrate each win like it's our last, and even brought me a homecooked meal while I was working late this past weekend."
Regional Semifinals Matchup: v. Mansfield
Keys to the Game: "Discipline and desire," Bourgeois said. "Mansfield is a very confident and talented team with playmakers all over their roster. We are really looking forward to this match up."
Prospectus: The Bears have been a top-tier club all throughout the Winter, which has carried over to the postseason. Each of their stars have shown up at the opportune times.
Bridgeland has talent to spare, with junior Anaiyah Robinson leading the attack, senior midfielders, Regan Fisher (Team Captain) and Hope BIllington (Sr.) thwarting the opposing attack while facilitating their own, or Karryn Duncan (Sr. Team Captain) and Brooke Martin (Fr.) anchoring the backline.
What exactly has brought the undefeated Bridgeland to this point?
"Belief in who we are and what we are doing have been the key ingredient to our success," said Bourgeois. "From the coaching staff, to the players, to the parents, we are all believers in US and committed to doing whatever it takes to keep this season alive."
Clear Lake Falcons
Photo acquired via Twitter: @LakeLadySoccer
Clear Lake Falcons
2022-23 Regular Season: 14-0-2/District 24-6A Champions (11-0-1)
Head Coach: Lisa Manis
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 8-1 Win over Alief Elsik
- Area Round: 1-1 (3-2 Penalty Shootout) Win v. West Brook
- Regional Quarterfinals: 0-0 (5-4 Penalty Shootout) Win v. Summer Creek
Round 3 MVP(s): Sophomore GK Jaelyn Bracamonte-- "She is young and has done an exceptional job of carrying the mental stress of knowing that the game will come down to her making saves," said Coach Manis. "She was able to stay focused and make the saves she could as our shooters did their job of making their PKs."
Regional Semifinals Matchup: v. Ridge Point
Keys to the Game: "The key to playing against Ridge Point is respecting their strengths and making sure we utilize our strengths as a team," Manis said. "These girls are resilient and have been pushed all year against strong competition which has made us stronger."
Prospectus: Clear Lake has contended with some of the best in Texas and have managed to prove themselves time and time again.
The Falcons' strength lies in their chemistry, per Coach Manis. Clear Lake's synchronized mentality and ability to communicate with ease between each third of the field has been invaluable, which is evidenced by their perfect record.
"Our team plays for each other and each wins builds our confidence and strength as a team," said Manis. "We haven’t focused on winning and losing throughout the year. Our focus has always been keep improving and fine tuning how we play. Moving forward through the playoff run has been laying it all out there and playing with no regrets when the game ends."
Kingwood Mustangs
Photo acquired via HC Pres Holcomb
Kingwood Mustangs
2022-23 Regular Season: 11-1/District 21-6A Champions (9-1)
Head Coach: Pres Holcomb
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 8-0 Win v. Pasadena
- Area Round: 1-0 Win v. Clear Creek
- Regional Quarterfinals: 1-0 Win v. Atascocita
Round 3 MVP(s): Junior Forward Giselle Clark--Kingwood's Clark scored in the 58th minute, which would turn out to be the game-winner, as the Lady Mustangs' defense extended their postseason scoreless streak into the Regional rounds.
Regional Semifinals Matchup: v. Stratford
Prospectus: Kingwood is on a hot streak at the perfect time, as Humble ISD's last representative in the UIL postseason.
After breezing through the opening round, the Mustangs have showcased their longevity and mental toughness by claiming two consecutive one-score wins, earning them a trip to the Regional Tournament.
Fans will be in for a show when KHS takes on an equally impressive Stratford group in their Semifinals matchup.
With a stonewall back line and scoring threats all over the field, Kingwood is looking dangerous.
Ridge Point Panthers
Jamie Wright (VYPE)
Ridge Point Panthers
2022-23 Regular Season: 15-0-2/District 20-6A Champions (14-0-2)
Head Coach: Evelyn Torres
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 1-0 Win v. Cinco Ranch
- Area Round: 4-0 Win v. Cy-Fair
- Regional Quarterfinals: 1-0 Win v. Seven Lakes
Round 3 MVP(s): "Some of our MVPs of the recent match would be Kara Canetti who scored the game winning goal for us," said Coach Torres. "Secondly, our defensive line-- Emma Lovell,Thaleia Caldwell,Georgia Mulholland, and Taylor Vinson --for keeping the game scoreless. Last but not least our goal keeper Molly Thompson for commanding our defense line and field players throughout the game."
Regional Semifinals Matchup: v. Clear Lake
Keys to the Game: "Finishing our opportunities in the final third, giving our all for the full 80 minutes and more if needed, and lastly, the discipline and desire to win."
Prospectus: Ridge Point, the champions of Fort Bend ISD, have been one of the most consistent squads around. Not to mention having arguably one of, if not the best defenses in the state of Texas, having only allowed 5 goals all season, with a scoreless postseason thus far, that makes it difficult for opponents to keep up.
"Our team has maintained the momentum from regular season to now by focusing on our team goals and playing our game," Torres said. "Each one of our players knows their role and our purpose going in to the postseason and is determined to achieve our goals of having a successful postseason."
Stratford Spartans
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Stratford Spartans
2022-23 Regular Season: 16-0-1/District 17-6A Champions (14-0)
Head Coach: David Walters
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 9-0 Win v.Houston Westside
- Area Round: 5-0 Win v. FB Elkins
- Regional Quarterfinals: 1-0 Win v. Katy Tompkins
Round 3 MVP(s): "There have been so many that have stepped up but our forward, Lauren Ahearn (Sr.) really is a big game player," said Coach Walters. "She always finds a way to score when we need her the most and she managed to do just that vs Tompkins."
Regional Semifinals Matchup: v. Kingwood
Keys to the Game: "Not turning the ball over and eliminating counter attacks."
Prospectus: Yet another undefeated team among this stacked list of teams, what exactly sets Stratford apart?
"Our tenacity and quickness to keep possession and win the ball back/intercept passes has been crucial for us," Walters said. "Our midfield has been able to regularly stop attacks by staying in passing lanes and preventing through balls. Our overall team defense have limited our playoff opponents to 5 shots on goal combined and less than 30% possession." \\
"They have been hyper focused on going farther than last season and the team chemistry is fantastic. They all root for each other and this pushes us to succeed."
Stratford's matchup against a red-hot Kingwood team should be a game to remember.
The Woodlands Highlanders
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The Woodlands Highlanders:
2022-23 Regular Season: 15-0-1/District 13-6A Champions
Head Coach: Frankie Whitlock
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 8-0 Win v. Spring
- Area Round: 4-4 (4-3 Penalty Shootout) Win v. Klein
- Regional Quarterfinals: 2-0 Win v. Klein Oak
Round 3 MVP(s): "We all take responsibility in what we are doing and try to do our jobs," said Coach Whitlock. "If everyone does their part... good things can happen."
Regional Semifinals Matchup: v. Wylie East
Keys to the Game: "We have played some incredible competition this year," Whitlock said. "Our takeaways from those games is resilience and improving as a team. We have had some battles, so I feel we gain confidence and improve our game through these great matches."
Prospectus: The undefeated Highlanders have proven to be one of the most consistent programs in the State. According to Head Coach Whitlock, The Woodlands' strength is exemplified by their culture, which has allowed their momentum to pick up in the postseason.
"We did everything as a team," he said. "Everyone is valued and is important. We are going to put up a good fight and compete. We love playing the game. We look forward to our matches and we aren't quite ready to be finished yet. Our playoff motto has been 'Not Today'."