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The stars of 2023-24 Goose Creek Memorial Soccer
BRACKETOLOGY: The must-see matchups in Rd. 3 of UIL Soccer playoffs
Now, it's time to break down what's in store for H-Town audiences, with a trip to the Regional Tournament on the line.
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Cypress Woods Wildcats vs. College Park Cavaliers (Boys)
Photo acquired via Twitter (@212catsoccer)
After placing fourth (8-3-3) within District 16-6A, Cy Woods proceeded to topple Tomball (2-0) and, most recently, Grand Oaks (3-1), in a rematch of last year's Area Round, which brings the team's record to 15-4-4 on the year.
Coach Joseph Carmichael's club has shown class in the big moments, which is a testament to their considerable experience in the playoffs. Not surprising, since there's a total of 19 players set to graduate in the coming months.
The senior-laden Wildcats are looking to surpass last year's mark of reaching the Regional Semifinals, with their next obstacle being a red-hot College Park squad.
The Cavs (19-2-3) are coming of clutch victories over Westfield (2-0) and Bridgeland (1-0), which is already a vast improvement from their 2023 result, in which they experienced a 4-2 upset against Aldine in the opening round.
Fast forward to today, and College Park is playing the best the program has seen in recent memory.
Coach Mike Jaskowiak will look to key play-makers, such as Chuck Forke, Austin Schiper, and Juan Gallo to keep the hot-streak rolling.
It all goes down when these two face off Tuesday night (7:30 pm) at The Woodlands High School.
Photo acquired via Twitter (@TWCPSoccer)
Bridgeland Bears vs. Tomball Memorial Wildcats (Girls)
Photo acquired via Twitter (@BridgelandGS)
As they enter the Regional Quarterfinals, it's becoming more and more evident that Bridgeland is a force to be reckoned with.
Coming off definitive wins against Klein Oak (3-0) and Oak Ridge (5-1), coach Katie Bourgeois' squad has still yet to be defeated in 2024 (20-0-2), and they don't plan on that changing anytime soon.
With the likes of Maddy Benker, Emmy Seiffert, Sydney Robinett, and Riley Hammond leading the way, the Bears have put the entire Texas high school girls soccer landscape on notice.
Their defense -- which has only allowed five goals all season -- has proven to be the reigning District 16-6A champions' greatest asset, and will certainly play into the upcoming matchup with Tomball Memorial.
Similarly, Tomball Memorial (17-3-2) has a stingy defense (12 goals allowed in 2024) of their own.
Under the direction of coach Allison Abendschein, the Wildcats feature the talents of Bri Carrigan, Emily Sydnor, Allie Barker, and Calla Reef, who were essential in the club's recent victories over Langham Creek (4-1) and Grand Oaks (3-1).
It's likely to be a closely-contested game on Tuesday night (6:00 pm), when Bridgeland takes on TMHS at the Waller ISD Stadium.
Tomball Memorial's Bri Carrigan
Doug Brown (VYPE)
Goose Creek Memorial Patriots vs. Galena Park Yellowjackets (Boys)
Doug Brown (VYPE)
Following an undefeated (12-0-2) district title acquisition, which marked the team's third-straight, Goose Creek Memorial has its sights set on returning the Regional Tournament for the first time since the 2018-19 season.
Team captain Ramon Diaz has been the catalyst behind the team's resurgence, and was especially vital in the Patriots' recent 3-1 win over Fulshear, having contributed two goals on the night.
Additionally, sophomore Maximiliano Gonzalez is performing well beyond his years, as GCM's goalkeeper.
Coach William Freeman and company look to maintain their postseason momentum, when they play Galena Park on Tuesday.,
After taking silver (15-3) in District 19-5A, the Yellowjackets followed that up with back-to-back shutout wins against Fort Bend Kempner (3-0) and Angleton (1-0).
Suffice it to say, coach Shannon Summers' defense has been Galena Park's strong-suit throughout the Winter.
They're currently on a seven-game win-streak, and will hope to make that eight against GCM.
Photo acquired via Twitter (@GPHS_Athletics)
Seven Lakes Spartans vs. Houston Memorial Mustangs (Girls)
Photo acquired via Twitter (@SLGirlsSoccer7)
The Spartans (16-3-5) enter Round No. 3 of the playoffs, fresh off of claiming their fourth-consecutive district title, followed up by defeating George Ranch (1-0) and Cy-Fair (3-0).
With only 16 goals allowed all year, the Katy ISD representative's back-line makes it difficult for any opponent to keep up with their equally potent attack.
Coach Kaitlyn Eidson's squad is buoyed by the next-level talents of Wagoner Towsen, Valerie Trinh, Carly Drescher, Sydney Hill, and Anu Aalona, just to name a few.
With considerable depth and experience, Seven Lakes aims to surpass last year's mark, when they narrowly fell to the eventual State Finalists Ridge Point, in the Regional Quarters.
On the other side of the pitch, Memorial is coming off a major win over Ridge Point (1-0) in the Area Round, and they look to repeat that effort when they face SLHS at Rhodes Stadium.
The Mustangs' back-line is anchored by a trio of senior captains -- Cara Chaffin, Charlotte Hardig, and Molly Oldham -- while the scoring-front is headlined by Cate Yarrow, Bella Youssef, and Talia Camin.
Under the direction of coach Lindley Amarantos, Memorial will look to keep their hot-streak intact tomorrow night.
Photo acquired via Twitter (@MemGirlsSoccer)
Alief Elsik Rams vs. Kingwood Mustangs (Boys)
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
After finishing second within their district, Alief Elsik raised eyebrows when they defeated the Dobie Longhorns last week (2-1), which was somewhat of a revenge game, after narrowly losing to them in last year's Area Round.
Led by captains, Alexander Mata (Sr. MF) and Luis Hernandez (Sr. GK), as well as coach Vincenzo Cox, the Rams (19-2-4) now seek a trip to the Regional Semis, which could potentially spur a run to reclaim their 2018 state title form.
They'll first need to retain their momentum when they face Kingwood at Abshier Stadium.
The Mustangs, under the direction of coach Bryan Jennings, claimed their second-consecutive district championship, prior to their recent wins over Sam Rayburn (2-0) and Shadow Creek (3-1).
Kingwood has a senior-laden roster, which should prove useful, given the necessary experience that's required to make a deep run in the postseason.
Kickoff is at 5:30 pm tomorrow night, and this is one you won't want to miss.
Photo acquired via Twitter (@khsmensvsoccer)