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FULL TIME: 2025 TAPPS-D1 Girls Soccer State Final Preview -- St. Agnes vs. Ursuline Academy
Led by Coach Josh Dolan, St. Agnes features a talented roster highlighted by first-team all-state selections Kaydee Amorosa (Sr. MF/Texas Tech commit) and Samantha DeCuir (Jr. D). Second-teamers Madison Taylor (Jr. F) and Grace Rossetti (Sr. D) have also played key roles in the team’s success.
After falling in last year’s state semifinals, the Tigers are determined to cap off their stellar season with the program’s first TAPPS title since 2020.
Standing in their way is a familiar powerhouse.
Defending back-to-back champions Ursuline Academy is back on the big stage, aiming for their third straight after edging past Bishop Lynch in a dramatic semifinal shootout (1-1, 5-4 PKs). The Bears, now 20-2-1, also rolled past Liberty Christian-Argyle (13-0) and John Paul II (5-0) earlier in the playoffs.
Guided by Coach Darrin Hedges, Ursuline enters the final as Texas’ No. 4-ranked team, according to MaxPreps.
First-team all-state forward Audrey Bryant (Sr./Texas-commit) spearheads the offense, supported by second-team selections Laila Nieto (Sr. MF), Makenzie Majors (Jr. F/TCU-commit), and junior playmaker Lily Marquez.
On defense, second-team honoree Ellie Teachout (Sr. D) and standout junior Ryan Fogel have helped limit opponents to just 12 goals all season.
With both teams showcasing dominance throughout the winter, this championship matchup promises to be a thrilling showdown.
Will Ursuline cement its dynasty with a third straight title, or will St. Agnes play spoiler and reclaim the crown? The answer awaits Wednesday morning at 9:30 AM at the Round Rock Multipurpose Complex.
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2022-23 St. John XXIII Girls Soccer
WINTER WRAP: St. John XXIII excels on the pitch
SJ23 Head Girls Soccer Coach, Zayne RamirezJustin Hartojo (VYPE)
“The season was fun to navigate through," said Ramirez. "This was a new district so we really didn’t know what we were up against, but we approached each game with a quiet confidence. We were vigilant with our opponents and found a lot of joy in the process facing them. The dichotomy between the two really propelled our motivation this season, and come playoffs, we were buzzing. The discipline and focus tightened up and that carried us into the championship game."
SJ23’s roster was absolutely loaded in 2022, featuring the likes of the dynamic duo of senior Myles McGaha (first-team all-state/District MVP) and junior Andrea Morales (second-team) leading the attack, scoring a combined 84 goals on the season.
SJ23's Myles McGahaJustin Hartojo (VYPE)
Furthermore, the Lions defense was bolstered by junior Elizabeth Roncal (first-team), sophomore Caroline "CC" Suire (second-team/Defensive POTY), junior Emily Razza (second-team) and junior GK Annelise Aldrett (second-team all-district), with sophomore Ana Caldentey (first-team) and freshman Aly Peters (Rookie OTY) standing out in midfield.
The postseason featured an emboldened Lions group that steamrolled past St. Anthony Catholic (12-0), followed by wins against Lutheran South (4-0) and San Antonio Christian (2-1) in the Regional and State Semifinal rounds, respectively.
SJ23 Elizabeth Roncal Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
"I would say our team's greatest strength is our synergy with each other and the game," Ramirez said. "Individually, we all had specific roles that we relied on throughout the season, on the playing perspective and the abstract side. Those roles were held to a standard by each player, which fed into our performance. The team had experienced club players which kept us proficient, but the buy-in and mutual commitment is the underlying factor."
Unfortunately for the Lions, the surging team was denied a State Championship by Grapevine Faith, narrowly falling to the Dallas school by a score of 2-1 in the final game of the year.
Despite the season not ending the way they’d hoped, the SJ23 girls displayed tremendous skill and resiliency, having a nearly perfect season that will be used as a standard for the future of the school’s soccer program.
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
“The future will be just as brilliant," said Ramirez. "This year's seniors have influenced the team in more ways than one and we will aim to honor them by continuing the culture they've instilled. The goal will be to make it better by enhancing the necessary areas and ameliorate our team. Ideally, returning to he State Final would be great. We know what it takes and I believe we are in a position to do that, because the returning players have that belief and vision."
Be on the watch for SJ23 come next Winter season.
Andrea Morales
