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AWARDS SZN: 2024 All-VYPE Boys Soccer Team powered by Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
In private school, Episcopal dominated in the SPC before claiming the program's second-straight state title. Meanwhile, in TAPPS, St. Pius X, British International, St. Thomas Episcopal, Cypress Christian, and St. Thomas enjoyed stellar years.
Given that information, it's time to unveil the 2024 All-VYPE Boys Soccer teams presented by Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine.
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PUBLIC SCHOOL BOYS SOCCER
TEAM OF THE YEAR: Seven Lakes Spartans
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
Not much more can be said about this team that hasn't already. Seven Lakes is a soccer dynasty.
Following a 2-1 overtime thriller against Flower Mound in the State Final, which was ultimately decided by a monumental free-kick by senior Aidan Morrison (UIL-6A State MVP), the Spartans became the first-ever Class 6A team to claim two consecutive championships.
The Katy ISD powerhouse cleaned up in the All-Tournament honors, with the aforementioned Morrison, Noa Stasic, Kortay Koc, and senior goalkeeper Ben Aviles Vera all being recognized as some of the best in the business.
While several key pieces will be graduating in the coming weeks, it still wouldn't come as a shock if Seven Lakes is back in Georgetown next Winter.
TEAM OF THE YEAR HONORABLE MENTION
Goose Creek Memorial Patriots (5A State Semifinalists)
Cinco Ranch Cougars (Region III-6A Finalists)
Cypress Woods Wildcats (Region II-6A Finalists)
Magnolia West Mustangs (Region III-5A Finalists)
Kingwood Park Panthers (5A Regional Semifinalists)
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COACH OF THE YEAR: James Krueger, Seven Lakes
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
Naturally, the coach of a team that establishes a precedent to the degree that Seven Lakes has should get this recognition.
Krueger has transformed the Spartans program into a state super-power over the course of the 17 years he's been with them. He was named the UIL-6A Coach of the Year minutes after the final whistle, and rightfully so.
Furthermore, the relationships he's built with his players are visibly impactful, as one could see the emotion both he and the team felt when the celebrations began.
COACH OF THE YEAR HONORABLE MENTION
William Freeman, Goose Creek Memorial
Christian Boehm, Kingwood Park
Ryan Searle, Cinco Ranch
Joseph Carmichael, Cypress Woods
Matt Motakef, Magnolia West
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ALL-VYPE TEAM PHOTO GALLERY: Ossian Elgstrom -- Cinco Ranch
Photo provided by Ossian Elgstrom
All-VYPE Public School Boys Soccer Team
***Just like a full squad on the pitch, players are organized in teams of 11
FIRST-TEAM
Ossian Elgstrom, Cinco Ranch
Noa Stasic, Seven Lakes
Evan Jimerson, Kingwood Park
Henrique Caputo, The Woodlands
Carlos Gonzalez, Goose Creek Memorial
Jairo Contreras, Cypress Woods
Aidan Morrison, Seven Lakes
Victor Sibaja, Magnolia West
Marcelo Ojeda, Katy Jordan
Mateo Arroyo, Kingwood
Kortay Koc, Seven Lakes
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SECOND-TEAM
Aaron Rodriguez, Humble
Runyambo Muco, B.F. Terry
Alexander Mata, Alief Elsik
Ben Aviles Vera, Seven Lakes
Luke Cavallo, Kingwood Park
Aiden Erol, Katy Jordan
Andres Riera, Cinco Ranch
Sebastian Alvarez, Cypress Springs
Ramon Diaz, Goose Creek Memorial
Gabe Fernandez, Strake Jesuit
Alex Scheidemantel, Kingwood
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THIRD-TEAM
Blake Pipkin, Ridge Point
Alex Escobar, Dobie
Roger Pioquinto, Conroe
Adrian Nieto-Saul, Fulshear
Daniel Ejerenwa, Seven Lakes
Reid Robert, Lake Creek
Nate Martinez, Klein Cain
Roman Ryabchenko, Tompkins
Ernesto Avila, Humble
Nico Ramos, Bridgeland
Jesus Rivas-Guzman, B.F. Terry
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HONORABLE MENTION
Fabian Gonzalez, Angleton
Jayden Puna, Shadow Creek
Daniel Antunez, Wisdom
Noah Peterson, Seven Lakes
Jonathan Lopez, Crosby
Adrian Correa, Cinco Ranch
David Miranda, Deer Park
Joevan Ortiz, Waller
Rojas Garcia, Cypress Ridge
Ka’Son Love, Fort Bend Austin
Ronan Flaherty, Kingwood Park
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PRIVATE SCHOOL BOYS SOCCER
TEAM OF THE YEAR: Episcopal Knights
Bradley C Collier (VYPE)
Under the direction of coach Travis Smith, EHS would surge to become SPC-4A Champions for the second year in a row.
The Knights claimed the title following a 2-1 victory over Awty International, and they featured a slew of All-SPC honorees among the team’s imposing roster -- namely Geronimo Barroso, Lorenzo Juarez, Kaden Martinez, Aleck Camacho, and Sebastian Guerra.
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All-VYPE Private School Boys Soccer Team
***Just like a full squad on the pitch, players are organized in teams of 11
FIRST-TEAM
Preston Kyle, St. Pius X
Jelsio Ganga, British International
Geronimo Barroso, Episcopal
Jeffrey Day, St. Thomas
Grant Petersen, The Kinkaid School
Zachary Burns, Cypress Christian
Hunter Puryear, St. Thomas Episcopal
Thomas McGowan, St. Pius X
Lorenzo Juarez, Episcopal
Oliver McCall, British International
Aleck Camacho, Episcopal
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SECOND-TEAM
Noah Robert, Lutheran South Academy
Oscar Mondragon, St. Thomas
Sebastian Guerra, Episcopal
Teddy Curry, The Kinkaid School
Zach Werner, St. Thomas Episcopal
Diego Guandique, St. Pius X
Owen Davies, British International
Carlos Ortiz, Houston Christian
Kaden Martinez, Episcopal
Jose Barrios, TWCA
Andrew Garrett, St. Thomas Episcopal
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HONORABLE MENTION
Eric Wang, The Kinkaid School
Mateo Oliveira, British International
Silas Garrabrant, Lutheran South Academy
Cooper Griess, Cypress Christian
Jaden Arredondo, St. Pius X
Vincent Causemaeker, TWCA
Grant Pickrel, Concordia Lutheran
Julian Landry, St. Thomas
Noah Schwartz, Cypress Christian
Keller Cassidy, John Cooper School
Danny Wasserman, St. Marks
Cinco Ranch's Ossian Elgstrom
FAT BOY’S PIZZA Player of the Month: Elgstrom propels Cinco Ranch to historic playoff run
Given the precedent he and the team have established, and the fact that it’s his senior year, it’s not hard to see where the 6-foot-3 center-back’s motivations lie.
Cinco Ranch Soccer celebrates their Round 3 victory over NorthbrookPhoto acquired via Twitter (@CincoBSoccer)
“It being my senior year and going the farthest I’ve ever gone has made it a special journey,” he said. “For us seniors, this moment has made us want to play harder because we don’t want it to be our last game.”
As is the case with most soccer players, Elgstrom’s passion for the game stems from his childhood.
However, Cinco Ranch’s star defender carries the distinction of beginning his journey across the pond.
“I started playing when I was about three or four years old, and growing up in Sweden,” said Elgstrom. “Soccer is the main sport there, and everyone follows it. It’s comparable to the impact that football and baseball have on American culture, so it’s really all I knew growing up.”
“We moved to the US when I was seven, and it was difficult at first because I didn’t know the language. But, I was eventually able to acclimate to the new environment. I’m also really pleased to see how much soccer has grown in the US, because it’s always been a big part of my life.”
It’s that intangible love for the sport that can bring cultures together, after all. But, it also feeds into Elgstrom’s strength on the pitch.
Photo provided by Ossian Elgstrom
“I feel like my greatest asset comes from my defensive awareness,” he said. “I also like to think I have some versatility, since I’ve been scoring a lot of goals this season, despite being a center-back. I’m content to do whatever is needed to help give the team a boost.”
Elgstrom earned first-team, all-state honors and his second-consecutive District 19-6A Defender of the Year nod a year ago, and is likely to repeat that effort in 2024.
Individual accolades aside, the Cougars now prepare to face Kingwood in the Regional Semis, with the opportunity to compete in the Region II Final, and perhaps a trip to the State Tournament in Georgetown, on the line.
“We need to take it one game at a time,” Elgstrom said. “If you’re thinking beyond, you won’t be able to focus when it matters. So, all we can do is keep our sights on what we can accomplish against the opponent that’s in front of us.”
Photo provided by Ossian Elgstrom
While he may not be looking ahead just yet, Elgstrom does have a plan for when he graduates in the coming months.
“I’m actually going to be taking a gap year and going back to Sweden,” he said. “I’m going to be playing for a club team (Östers IF U19) there in order to try to get a pro contract.”
Who knows, the Cinco Ranch senior might one day be a part of the Swedish national team, just as his favorite player, and soccer legend, Zlatan Ibrahimović was.
Regardless of what happens in the near future, Elgstrom has already cemented his status as a legend within the Katy ISD program.