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PREVIEW: Celina Hunts for a 3-Peat

Securing their second-consecutive state title to round out their season last year was just one of the highlights of Celina Athletics. With powerful athletes in every sport, the Celina Lady Bobcats soccer team continued strong and look to keep a hot streak going as they enter another season. VYPE DFW takes a look at what fans can expect from this squad:

Rewind

Undefeated on the season, Celina posted a 29-0 overall record while outscoring their opponents by a combined nearly 200 goals on the season. Through non-district play, the team towered over Mabank, Kilgore, McKinney, North Forney, Longview, Centennial, Ursuline, Lewisville, and more as they sharpened their claws to take on their district opponents. Once in district play, the Lady Bobcats finished with a 10-0 record at the top of their standings after taking down Anna, Frisco Panther Creek, Farmersville, Bonham, and more en route to the playoffs.

Unscathed and ready for any challenge, it wasn't long before Celina got the opportunity to put their ability to the truest test-- on the biggest stage in high school soccer. The team allowed only three goals against them in the playoffs as they defeated Community (8-0), Dallas Pinkston (7-0), Mabank (4-1), Jacksonville (5-0), Anna (6-1), Boerne (2-0), and eventually Stephenville (8-1) in the UIL Class 4A Girls Soccer State Title match.

This Season

A young squad last season with a handful of seniors graduating, Celina is returning a large chunk of their phenomenal athletes this season. Looking for their fourth state tournament in four seasons, the Lady Bobcats are made up of the likes of Kaitlyn Gustofson, Emme Norman, Sammy Quiroz, Claire Flowers, Makenna Brantley, Ella Norman, Grace Pritchard, Ryleigh Stifflemire, Brookelyn Babb, Ashton Lowry, and others. With excellent leadership, the team can be expected to build up all of the newcomers and begin their campaign toward another successful season.

This season, the team begins their schedule just after the new year as they take on Jacksonville followed by brand-new Prosper Walnut Grove. Continuing on against the likes of Grapevine, Stephenville, Rockwall-Heath, McKinney Boyd, and more, there's no doubt that this team is going up against some of the best teams in the area in order to prepare for their season and post another dominant district schedule. In district play, the team will once again face off against Bonham, Aubrey, Pilot Point, Gainesville, and more as they look for a three-peat! Catch this squad in action.