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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.
Cinco Ranch's Daniel Vargas
PRIME TIME: Cinco Ranch battling for supremacy in Regionals
Cinco Ranch has proven themselves to be an imposing force on the pitch, touting a 10-5-5 record to finish in the No. 3 spot in their top-tier district (19-6A). In addition, the Cougars upset the Fort Bend favorites, Ridge Point, in the opening round (2-2; 3-1 Penalty Shootout), before trouncing Westside (5-2) in the Area Round.
Cinco Ranch following their Area Round Championship
However, CRHS will have their work cut out for them against one of the best soccer programs in Texas -- Seven Lakes.
But, when teams are as familiar with each other as these two, anything can happen. This is something Cinco Ranch’s coach Ryan Searle knows all too well.
“Seven Lakes is a very talented, well-run group,” said Searle. “Coach [Jim] Krueger has that team running like a well-oiled machine. They’ll be a tough team to beat, since it’s hard to break them down, especially with the attack they have. With that in mind, we’re going to need to be even tougher on defense and minimize mistakes. It will be a hard-fought game and since we are rivals, the boys all know each other which will make the matchup that much more motivating for us.”
Cinco Ranch's Daniel VargasPhoto provided by HC Ryan Searle
This season marks Searle’s second at Cinco Ranch, after he and assistant coach John Trautner, took the mantle of leading the Katy school’s soccer program after their experience at Kingwood Park.
Fortunately for Searle, he has been provided the opportunity to work with the exceptional talent that makes up Cinco Ranch’s stellar roster.
Cinco Ranch's Ossian ElgstromPhoto provided by HC Ryan Searle
“One of our biggest standouts this year has been Ossian [Elgstrom],” Searle said. “He’s our junior center back, who is a phenomenal defender. He’s hands-down one of the best in Katy and will be our rock in the back. Up front, we have Danny Vargas (Sr. Forward), who leads Katy ISD in career goals. He’s been a four-year starter for Cinco and has been great for our attack with 17 goals on the season, with 15 in district.”
As previously mentioned, Katy ISD is among the best in regards to the level of competition they bring, which Searle recognized almost immediately.
“Katy is a completely different ball game,” he said. “The talent-level is something else, which means there aren’t really any blowout games in the district and any team can become a contender for the State Title. The soccer is just insane here.”
This matchup between Cinco Ranch and Seven Lakes is being hyped up for good reason. The winner of this game might just become the favorites for the 6A State Championship.