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2023-24 Goose Creek Memorial Girls Soccer
IN IT TO WIN IT: Sizing up the UIL Soccer Regional Tourney
With a trip to State on the line, here's a break-down of the most pivotal matches in this week's Regional Tournament.
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Cinco Ranch Cougars vs. Kingwood Mustangs (Boys)
Photo acquired via Twitter (@CincoBSoccer)
The Cougars are in the midst of a historic playoff run, having reached the Regional Tournament for the first time since 2016.
Fresh off the heels of wins against Hightower (6-1), Jersey Village (3-0), and most recently Northbrook (2-0), Cinco Ranch brings their 2024 record to 16-3-4 as they prepare for Round No. 4.
Under the direction of coach Ryan Searle, the Cougs feature an exceptionally stingy defense -- one which has allowed just four goals in the last ten games -- that makes it strenuous for any opponent to contend with them.
Headlined by players such as Ossian Elgstrom (Sr. D), Andres Reira (Jr. F), Miguel Leite (Sr. F), and Noah Machart (Sr. GK), Cinco Ranch now looks to take on Kingwood.
The District 21-6A champions have shown considerable resiliency throughout both the regular season and playoffs, most recently upending Alief Elsik (2-0) in Monday's matchup.
As mentioned in the Round 3 preview, coach Bryan Jennings' squad is comprised of a significant number of seniors, who don't plan on letting their final season end just yet.
What's intriguing about this Regional Semis game -- which will take place at Abshier Stadium on Friday (7:30 pm) -- is that the victor could possibly play their district counterpart -- Seven Lakes or Humble -- in the Region III Final.
Speaking of which...
Photo acquired via Twitter (@khsmensvsoccer)
Seven Lakes Spartans vs. Humble Wildcats (Boys)
In pursuit of becoming the first back-to-back Class 6A state champs, Seven Lakes (21-1-2) has been on a mission all Winter.
They are coming off a nail-biter against a familiar district opponent, Katy Jordan, in which they claimed the win in a penalty shootout.
Coach James Krueger's roster features the championship-caliber talents of Kortay Koc, Noa Stasic, Aidan Morrison, and Ben Aviles Vera, as the Spartans look to travel to Deer Park's Abshier Stadium this Friday (5:30 pm).
On the other side of the pitch, the Wildcats reach the Regional Tourney for the first time since 2021, as a result of their definite 3-0 victory over Strake Jesuit on Tuesday.
After taking silver in District 21-6A, coach Saul Keene and company haven't looked back, with the ambition of reaching the Regional Final, which would mark the first time in decades.
Photo acquired via Twitter (@humblefutbol)
Goose Creek Memorial Patriots vs. Georgetown Eagles (Girls)
Doug Brown (VYPE)
GCM has defied expectations time and time again this Winter, which has carried over into the postseason with a vengeance.
The Patriots (17-6-4) are coming off a thrilling 1-0 victory against Santa Fe in the Regional Quarters, marking the furthest the team has advanced in program history.
This was preceded by playoff wins versus Randle (9-0) and Angleton (2-1), as coach Roman Huizar and the rest of Goose Creek Memorial look to keep their hot-streak rolling when they play Georgetown at Turner Stadium on Friday (11:00 am).
Georgetown (22-1-4) is a perennial power, having reached the State Semis in 2023, and they seek to play on their home field once again this year.
Their reputation speaks for itself, as coach Eduardo Venegas has returned several stars from that roster.
But, nothing ever comes easy when we're this far in the playoffs.
Kingwood Park Panthers vs. West Mesquite Wranglers (Boys)
Photo acquired via Twitter (@KPHS_Men_Soccer)
In just his third year with the program, coach Christian Boehm has guided the Panthers to their first appearance in the Regional Tournament since the 2020-21 season -- a year in which the team reached the Class 5A State Final.
K-Park's motto for the Winter is "Locked In" and that has certainly been the case as each week passes. Following wins against Hallsville (5-2), Lovejoy (4-0), and Longview (3-0), they now prepare to take on West Mesquite on Friday.
Boehm will look to his key play-makers -- Evan Jimerson, Finn Bruce, Luke Caballo, and Ronan Flaherty -- to keep the good times rolling.
The Wranglers (21-4-1) are led by coach Jeremiah Villarreal and enter Round No. 4 for the first time in program history.
Seven Lakes Spartans vs. Pearland Oilers (Girls)
Photo acquired via Twitter (@SLGirlsSoccer7)
The Spartans (17-3-5) enter the Region III Tournament for the first time since 2015, following their 2-0 win over Houston Memorial on Tuesday night.
While their attack is a worthy inclusion to their success, it's the Seven Lakes defense -- which has yet to allow a goal in the playoffs thus far -- that has proven to be the team's greatest asset.
As mentioned in the last round's break-down, coach Kaitlyn Eidson roster features a slew of stars -- namely Valerie Trinh, Wagoner Towsen, Carly Drescher, Kennedy Reed, and Olivia Orellana, among others.
Pearland (19-3-3) is on a historic run of their own, however, and they have plenty of star-power to contend with Spartans on the other side of the pitch
Caden Sparks, Kaelynn Pablo, Emma Merritt, Breanna Medina, and Savannah Epting have made the Oilers one of the top teams in the state, under the direction of coach Elise Cox.
This might be the closest matchup of the week, when these two face off at Abshier on Friday (12:30 pm).
Photo acquired via Twitter (@LadyOilerFutbol)
The Woodlands Highlanders vs. Duncanville Panthers (Boys)
Photo acquired via Twitter (@TWHSMensSoccer)
It's been another fruitful endeavor this Winter for the perennial super-power The Woodlands (22-1-3).
Coach Jason Fanning's squad reaches the fourth round of the playoffs for the third-consecutive year, and have their sights set on returning to Georgetown.
The Highlanders are coming off wins against Aldine (3-0), Waller (2-2 PKs), and Cypress Springs (4-1), and possess a loaded roster, with the likes of Henrique Caputo, Rodrigo Checa, Matyas Williams, and Emilio Balderas-Berg propelling the team forward.
They now look to face Duncanville (18-2-3) who enter the Region II Tournament after defeating Weiss (3-0), Rockwall (1-0), and most recently Garland (1-0).
The Panthers defense has been a difficult unit to play against, having allowed just 15 goals in 2024 thus far, under the direction of coach Nuno Passos.
Whoever emerges victorious from this clash could very well be the Region II representative in next week's state tournament.
Terry Rangers vs. Magnolia West Mustangs
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
The Rangers continue to make history this Winter, as they reach the Regional Semifinals for the first time in program history.
Not only that, but they still have yet to be defeated this season, as Terry boasts a record of 24-0-4.
Coach Drew Brenk's exemplary roster features the likes of Runyambo Muco (40 goals, 11 assists), Jesus Rivas-Guzman (32 goals, 35 assists), Samir Mohammed Nasim (15 goals, 17 assists), and senior goalkeeper Adrian Coria (139 saves, 14 shuotuts), just to name a few.
Now that we're into the nitty gritty of the postseason, however, there is no opponent who should be underestimated.
Speaking of which, Magnolia West (18-4-4) returns to Round No. 4 for the first time since the 2015-16 season, and look to extend that streak.
The attacking front for coach Matt Motakef's Mustangs is just as efficient, with 86 goals scored on the year, which should prove to be a factor when these two Class 5A power-houses clash this Friday.
Photo acquired via Twitter (@MWHSSoccer)
CLICK HERE TO KEEP UP WITH THE UIL SOCCER PLAYOFF BRACKETS
Brazoswood's Peyton Tanner
THE PLAYMAKERS: Starting off hot powered by UTMB Health
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Month, as the Winter season wraps up, and we transition to the Spring.
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Emma Merritt, Pearland Girls Soccer
Photo acquired via Twitter (@emmammerritt)
The Lady Oilers have surged on the pitch this Winter, as they re-claimed the District 23-6A title to cap off an exceptional regular season.
Their 16-3-3 (11-1 in district) record places Pearland firmly within the top-10 of our rankings as teams state-wide prepare for the upcoming UIL playoffs.
Coach Elise Cox's club is emboldened by a high-powered offense, led by senior Emma Merritt. As the center forward for the Oilers, Merritt is naturally one of the team's top scorers.
She possesses a keen eye for positioning off the ball, quick reactions during the attack, and a particular skill in finishing that will be essential for Pearland, as they look to make a deep run in the postseason.
It all begins when they kick off against Clear Falls this upcoming Tuesday.
Blake Encarnacion, Friendswood Baseball
Doug Brown (VYPE)
The first half of the baseball season has seen Friendswood pick up right where they left off in 2023.
With their current record of 17-3-1 (2-2 in district), the Mustangs seem poised for another potential district title.
While there are a number of stellar bats in coach Robert Benavides' lineup, his ace on the mound -- senior Blake Encarnacion -- has been a true difference-maker in the tight matchups they face.
The Nebraska-signee has been throwing in the low-90's, along with a number of pitches in his arsenal, which means there's no surprise that he has had a knack for racking up strikeouts.
While they are coming off a close losses against district opponent Santa Fe, Friendswood will still likely have the opportunity to rally in their remaining district schedule.
Peyton Tanner, Brazoswood Softball
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
Brazoswood is off to yet another hot start to the Spring, having gone 18-7 thus far, which includes a 5-0 beginning to their district campaign.
That shouldn't come as a shock, considering the majority of last year's roster that finished as Area Finalists has returned to the fold.
The key piece, of which, Tennessee-signee Peyton Tanner, is looking every bit as dynamic as she was when earned District 24-6A honors in 2023.
As the Lady Bucs continue with the district portion of their schedule and seek their 20th-consecutive playoff appearance, it is almost a guarantee that Tanner will have a major role.
Alex Escobar, Dobie Soccer
Photo acquired via Twitter (@DobieBoysSoccer)
What a milestone-year it has been for the Dobie Soccer program.
Currently touting a record of 17-2-2 (11-1 in district), the Longhorns capped off the regular season by clinching the team's tenth-straight District 22-6A championship.
Here's another crazy stat for you -- over the span of that time, Dobie's overall record is 112-7-16 (W-L-T).
Suffice it to say, coach Justo Manrique and company are well within the conversation of being one of the best teams in Houston.
Therefore, it should go without saying that one of the leading scorers for the Longhorns -- senior forward Alex Escobar -- is a player to keep on notice.
As a captain for the squad, it will be up to him to provide the necessary experience with the playoffs on the horizon.
Katiana Maldonado, Lutheran South Academy Softball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
As expected, Lutheran South (12-1; 2-0 in district) has been a force to be reckoned with the open the Spring.
Under the direction of head coach Nicole Andrade, the Pioneers have displayed a number of exceptional performances by stars such as Addison Smith, Bri Collazo, and Lauren Brown.
However, it will be up to the veteran leadership -- particularly that of senior Kat Maldonado -- to propel LSA beyond last year's mark of reaching the TAPPS-II Regional round.
Following a 2023 second-team, all-state nod, Maldonado hasn't skipped a beat, and will be vital in the remainder of their district schedule and likely playoff berth.