GAMES
RANKINGS
Goose Creek Memorial Soccer following their Area Round victory
MOVING UP: 5A Boys competing in Regional Quarters
Here are the H-Town teams (5A-Boys) primed to maintain their momentum in Round No. 3 of the UIL postseason this Friday and Saturday.
5A Boys Soccer
*Record Format: W-L-T (Tournament games not included)
*List is ordered alphabetically
Fulshear Chargers
2022-23 Regular Season: 10-4-3/Finished 2nd in District 20-5A
Head Coach: Arturo Trevino
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 3-1 Win v. Galena Park
- Area Round: 6-0 Win v. Baytown Lee
Difference-Maker: Senior MF Kyle Saulter-- "Our MVP for the Area round was No. 8, Kyle Saulter," said Coach Trevino. "He brought energy to win the ball back in the midfield and was able to hold Lee’s key players in check the whole game. He also contributed an assist to us."
Regional Quarterfinals Matchup: v. Goose Creek Memorial
Fulshear Soccer following their Round 2 winPhoto provided by Fulshear HC Arturo Trevino
Goose Creek Memorial Patriots
2022-23 Regular Season: 13-0-2/District 17-5A Champions (9-0-1)
Head Coach: William Freeman
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 3-0 Win v. Friendswood
- Area Round: 4-0 Win v. Houston Madison
Difference-Maker: Senior Kevin Muratalla--The 2022 District (22-5A) MVP had two assists off of GCM's set pieces, which were essential in the Patriots' victory, according to Coach Freeman.
Regional Quarterfinals Matchup: v. Fulshear
GCM Soccer following their Rd. 2 winPhoto provided by GCM HC William Freeman
Santa Fe Indians
2022-23 Regular Season: 7-4-7/Finished 3rd in District 18-5A
Head Coach: Josh Kluka
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 2-1 Win v. Crosby
- Area Round: 5-4 Win v. Sharpstown
Difference-Maker: Senior Jairo Hernández-- "Hernandez was directly involved in all five goals and changed the momentum of the game," said Head Coach Josh Kluka. "Every time he got on the ball in the second half he was dangerous."
Regional Quarterfinals Matchup: v. Houston Wisdom
Santa Fe Soccer prior to their Area Round matchPhoto provided by Santa Fe HC Josh Kluka
Wisdom Generals
2022-23 Regular Season: 18-0/District 19-5A Champions
Head Coach: Fidel Andrade
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 3-1 Win v. Lamar Consolidated
- Area Round: 1-0 Win v. Baytown Sterling
Difference-Maker: Senior Captain Luis Cacho-- scored the game-winning goal and was named Wisdom's Man of the Match
Regional Quarterfinals Matchup: v. Santa Fe
Wisdom's Luis CachoPhoto provided by Wisome HC Fidel Andrade
CLICK HERE TO KEEP UP WITH THE UIL 5A BOYS BRACKETS (Regions 1 & 2)
CLICK HERE TO KEEP UP WITH THE UIL 5A BOYS BRACKETS (Regions 3 & 4)
Santa Fe is in the regional final for the first time since 2014.
‘Reloading’ Santa Fe in regional final for 1st time since 2014
With only two seniors and high-caliber, but raw, talent, the Indians are in the regional final for the first time since 2014. Third-year coach Christina Jaques and a core of juniors in Sidne Peters (Washington commit), Makenna Mitchell (Texas Tech commit), and Brooklyn Spencer, and seniors Reagan Smith and Ashley Nickerson, have expedited what should have been a steep learning curve.
“They’re dedicated. They work hard,” Jaques said of her girls. “We went into this year feeling like our backs were against the wall. We had a chip on our shoulder to prove, hey, why not us? It’s been a process of showing these younger girls the ropes, learning to work together.”
The Indians graduated eight seniors from last year’s regional quarterfinalist, which was a disappointing end to a season with high hopes.
This season, players made a more concerted to give their all on every play, intent on not leaving games up to plays that might or might not be made. With so many new players around that veteran core, faith, trust and belief have been works in progress throughout the year.
Jaques stressed game-like simulations during practices. They are tougher and more demanding, so much so that now the game comes easier to players.
“Patience has been a huge deal,” Jaques said. “We know we’re going to play really young at times. We know we’re going to have some green areas. But as a coach, we have to make sure the girls grow off that. Each practice is figuring out where we need the most work in, and sometimes it means going back to something you’ve already addressed.”
Just like players had to go back to the basics, the coaches had to as well, challenging themselves to put players in better positions to succeed.
Every returner from last season, aside from the pitchers, is playing a different position than they were last year.
“We were going to have to coach our butts off and think in ways we hadn’t before,” Jaques said. “It was about our core girls and building around that.”
Still, despite all the newness and rebuilding, Jaques knew the team could do something special this year.
A big reason why is Peters, who, in six playoff games, has allowed one run on 11 hits while striking out 44 in 32 innings. She had a perfect game against Nederland in the bi-district round and back-to-back complete-game shutouts of Richmond Foster in the regional quarterfinals.
Santa Fe junior Sidne Peters.VYPE Media
“Her settling in each year and getting more games underneath her, I think the kid has grown tremendous in the mental aspect of it,” Jaques said. “The way she approaches teams now and the way she’s more confident. She’s dominating, and she’s letting her defense play for her. No matter how the game has flowed, she has that confidence in our defense that has really been a tremendous stride for her.”
Peters is also a threat at the plate. Against Kingwood Park in the regional semifinal, she went 3-for-3 with a home run, double and five RBIs.
“She’s our rock,” Jaques said. “She’s very, very special, and as time goes on, she dominates more and more as we see tougher opponents. She’s just so locked in.”
Around Peters is a selfless, gifted group of young ladies willing to do whatever it takes to win.
Spencer is a leader behind the plate. Nickerson plays everywhere; a first baseman last year, she is playing more of a utility role this year, depending on whatever Jaques needs.
The pitching staff is one of the best in the Greater Houston area in Peters, Smith and Jaden Cooper. Sophomore Mea Slayton has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in centerfield. Mitchell is a sparkplug of energy at shortstop. Freshman outfielder Kaitlyn Torres has been a boon.
“Whatever has been expected for our team and what we’ve needed, our girls have given,” Jaques said. “It’s been about what’s best for our team, and that’s been a big part of our success. We’re going to get everyone’s ‘A’ game. Our kids know we have to be tough. We have to let the little things go, and as long as we’re growing, we’re going to find out way.”