GAMES
RANKINGS
Bridgeland’s Anaiyah Robinson
NEW MENTALITY: Bridgeland's Robinson changing "first-round exit stigma"
In her freshman debut, Robinson earned 2021 Offensive Player of the Year honors and hasn’t slowed down since.
“Bridgeland has always had talented players,” said Robinson. “Our coach [Kaitlyn Bourgeois] really knows the game and exactly how to beat any team. She has the right players to do so. Personally, I think I play very direct. I’m always able to beat players one-on-one with my speed and skill set. Most importantly, I’m always looking for the goal.”
On top of being a standout for the Bears, her performance for her club team (Challenge), she garnered ECNL (Elite Clubs National League) first-team, all-conference honors. She has only boosted her reputation as an established leader among her BHS teammates, learning from those who have come before her.
“I’ve been blessed to have so many talented teammates through my first three seasons,” Robinson said. “They depend on me to make plays, and it’s something I take pride in. We have a lot of young girls that come to our games and look up to us. I hope we can make them proud… My dad pushes me to be a better player and prepares me for the future, and my mom is always supportive of me no matter what. So, I want to be like that.”
Given the attention placed on her exceptional performance, Robinson has committed to Oklahoma.
“OU from the start was great with recruiting,” she said. “The coaching staff was supportive throughout the entire process, and they truly care about how you’re doing and your accomplishments. When I visited OU, the school, soccer program and the environment all around were a dream. The biggest factor was their playing style. It fit me perfectly.”
It is clear that Bridgeland has become quite the powerhouse with Robinson leading the offense. However, the Bears have yet to make a deep playoff run due to unlucky first-round defeats in previous postseasons (2022: Tomball Memorial, 2021: Klein Cain).
Therefore, before she becomes an OU Sooner, it will be up to Robinson and the talented Bears roster to further establish Bridgeland soccer as a force to be reckoned with.
“This year we are a different team,” she Robinson. “We have a whole different playing style that’s been successful so far. We have beaten some high-level competition and our mentality is completely different. This year it’s personal for Bridgeland to end the first round-exit stigma.”
Foster Midfielder, Hannah Bolin
THE SKIPPER: Foster's Bolin has grown inside Falcon Program
Following their historic regular season, the Foster girls moved up the postseason brackets by defeating Sharpstown (9-1), Barbers Hill (6-3), and Sante Fe (2-0), before ultimately falling to Magnolia in the Regional Semifinals by a score of 2-1. Despite their defeat, the Falcons should appreciate the impressive level of performance their squad achieved, especially that of Bolin—the team captain.
A varsity player since she was a freshman, the veteran midfielder enjoyed her best season by earning first-team, all-region honors, as well as her second consecutive Lamar CISD Midfielder of the Year Award. Furthermore, Bolin’s experience with Foster and her club team, Albion Hurricanes FC, has allowed her the opportunity to continue playing.
“I progressively kept getting better and I got to the club where I’m at [AlbionFC],” Bolin explained. “From there, I did some Showcases, and I was able to get recruited and ended up committing to Sam Houston.”
2022-23 Foster Girls Soccer
Considering that this is Bolin’s final season at Foster High, it's understandable that there may be some bittersweet memories.
“It has helped to build my confidence,” she said. “Getting to be with your teammates and having great experiences, from fun bus rides to team dinners, I will never forget this time.”