The 2024 season has been a bit of a Cinderella story for the Prosper girls soccer program.
After narrowly falling to Boyd (1-0) in last year’s Regional Quarterfinals, the Eagles proceeded to finish third in District 5-6A (10-2-2), prior to experiencing a meteoric rise in the playoffs, to the tune of reaching the UIL State Tournament in Georgetown for the first time in program history.
This would all culminate in coach Matt Dickinson and company capping off their momentous season with a stunning (0-0)* victory over Westlake in Saturday night’s contest, making them the undisputed champions of Class 6A.
In response to this unprecedented feat, Dickinson was given the opportunity to see all the hard work his team has put in over the five years he’s been with the program finally pay off.
“It's difficult in the moment to describe the secret ingredient to this team's success," he said. "We just have a belief in each other. No matter what happens, we've found ways to win all throughout the season which just reinforces that idea that we're at our best when we're together."
Following their 3-0 win over Seven Lakes in the State Semis, the Eagles competed in a highly-contested match against Westlake to cap off the 2024 season.
While it was neck-and-neck for the majority of the game, the deciding factor was ultimately a 23-yard free-kick score by junior midfielder Olivia Hess in the 58th minute of regulation, which would lead Prosper to a 1-0 victory, and earn Hess MVP honors.
“I've never been more excited in my entire life," said Hess. "We've worked so hard over the past three years to get here and we deserve it more than anybody else. It was a team-effort and I definitely would not be in this position without them. The seniors on this team are my best friends and I'm so glad I was able to help them go out with a bang."
Hess was also complemented by the skillful production of Brooklyn Miller (Sr. F), Maggie Manning (Sr. GK), Isabella Fregoso, (Sr. F), and Beya Rosales (Sr. D), among others.
This marks the fifth-consecutive year that a team from Region I has claimed the coveted state title, which is a testament to the level of competition these teams contend with on an annual basis.
Prosper’s high-caliber roster featured a healthy mix of upperclassmen and underclassmen propelling them this Winter, and their chemistry on Birkelbach Field was noticeably palpable.
“We worked our butts off all year and this game was so stressful," said senior goalkeeper Maggie Manning. "After Olivia scored there was this sense of relief, and I'm so proud of everyone stepping up in the right times. I know that all of our seniors are excited to move on to the next level. We're going to use what we learned here from our coaches and carry that into college."
With the likes of seniors Miller (Samford-signee), Manning (Houston-signee), Rosales, and Fregoso graduating in the coming weeks, it will be up to the next class – primarily Hess, Reagan Roberts, and Ava Germany – to uphold the bar the team has set.
“You can't ask for a better ending for our seniors," said coach Dickinson. "I've been with them for all four years, and to see how they have progressed in that time and impacted the program, to the point of becoming champions -- I couldn't be more proud."
The Eagles conclude their tremendous season with a record of 26-2-2, and get to travel back home to Prosper with some hardware to add to the school's growing trophy case.
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