This past weekend’s Regional Tournament double-header provided some of the most heated exhibitions of the year.
After several close matchups, only two Houston teams–Ridge Point Girls and Seven Lakes Boys– remain in the UIL-6A final four.
The entire Winter season has culminated in this upcoming finale, starting with the State Semifinals on Friday at Birklebach Field in Georgetown, TX, followed by the Title game on Saturday.
Here is the outlook for these H-Town clubs who are primed to cement their names in history.
Ridge Point Panthers (6A Girls Soccer)
Jamie Wright (VYPE)
2022-23 Ridge Point Girls Soccer
Ridge Point Panthers
2022-23 Regular Season: 15-0-2/District 20-6A Champions (14-0-2)
Overall Record: 23-0-5
Head Coach: Evelyn Torres (9th year at Ridge Point)
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 1-0 Win v. Cinco Ranch
- Area Round: 4-0 Win v. Cy-Fair
- Regional Quarterfinals: 1-0 Win v. Seven Lakes
- Regional Semifinals: 1-0 Win v. Clear Lake
- Regional Finals: 3-0 Win v. Stratford
Regional Tournament MVP(s): "Our defensive line stood out in the Regional Tourney," said Head Coach Evelyn Torres. "Emma Lovell, Georgia Mulholland, Thaleia Caldwell, and Taylor Vinson protect our team and GK from any threats. Dayo Tennyson has incredible speed, and Hannah Warnken is the heart and soul of our team and gives it everything she has with her effort and hustle.
State Semifinals Matchup: v. Wylie East (28-0)
Keys to the Game: "Seizing the moment, playing great and rising up to the challenge," Torres said. "This aspect of the game is easier said than done. It's difficult getting here and you don't want to have any regrets when time expires."
Prospectus: Ridge Point is looking scarier than ever after knocking off the undefeated Stratford to seal their second-consecutive Region III Championship.
Last season saw the Panthers reach the State Semifinals only to fall to Rockwall in a heartbreaking 4-2 overtime defeat. Ridge Point will see to it that things play out differently, come this Friday.
"When the season ended last year in April to about November, we talked about getting back," said Torres. "That became our goal, our standard. However, once this year season started, as a group, we didn't talk about it much. We always focused on the game ahead of us. But if you asked everyone individually, that was their goal, get back to Georgetown."
The Fort Bend ISD reps are locked in, with a steadfast determination to claim their first-ever State Title.
"Winning a state championship for the team, for our school and for our school district would mean everything to us all. The girls have an opportunity to make school history."
Just two more wins to go.
Seven Lakes Spartans (6A Boys Soccer)
Seven Lakes after becoming Region 3 Champions
Seven Lakes Spartans
2022-23 Regular Season: 15-1-1/District 19-6A Champions (15-0-1)
Overall Record: 26-1-1
Head Coach: Jim Krueger (16th year at Seven Lakes)
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 2-0 Win v. Fort Bend Austin
- Area Round: 2-0 Win v. Bellaire
- Regional Quarterfinals: 2-2 (4-3 Penalty Shootout) Win v. Cinco Ranch
- Regional Semifinals: 3-0 Win v. Clear Springs
- Regional Finals: 6-0 Win v. Dobie
Regional Tournament MVP(s): "The past Regional Tournament saw several players standing out," said Head Coach Jim Krueger. "In fact, the past two matches have been the most challenging in naming a Player of the Game. One of the keys to our success is that we have a number of players that can hurt you and that those players play with a team mindset."
State Semifinals Matchup: v. Garland Sachse (21-6-0)
Keys to the Game: "Sachse is going to be a technical side that looks to play direct," Krueger said. "They have high work rate. We will want to try to make them uncomfortable with our speed of play in the final half. They have gotten this far for a reason, we will need to continue to play at a high level to move on to the finals."
Prospectus: Seven Lakes is widely regarded as one of, if not the best soccer programs in the state of Texas, which is indicative of their preceding successes.
The Spartans are no stranger to the pressure that comes with being in the final four, considering they reached the State Semifinals a year ago, in which they were narrowly defeated 3-2 by Plano.
"Where we are today is something that has been built over years," said Krueger. "Each graduating class has worked towards leaving the badge in a better place. The continued competitive growth of our district has pushed us to get better each passing year. One of the most difficult things is staying on top once you get there. We know this and continue to work hard to remain in the conversation as being one of the best in the state."
Seven Lakes now has the opportunity to flip the script this weekend, as they prepare to make history for the school.
"A State Championship would be an amazing achievement," Krueger said. "It would be the first title won by a boys’ soccer team in Katy. We have had several teams get close over the years. It will eventually happen as the soccer here in Katy ISD is truly top notch. It definitely would be nice to be the ones to the hold the trophy over our heads at the end of the day this Saturday. I know our school is excited about the opportunity."
First up is Sachse. Stay tuned.