At Alief Elsik, soccer isn't just a sport -- it's a part of the school's DNA. The Rams have long been a powerhouse in Texas high school soccer, and last season only strengthened that identity.
With coach Vincenzo Cox at the helm, Elsik surged all the way to the UIL 6A-Division I State Final, carrying a sweeping fanbase and the weight of a proud tradition with them. It was the club’s fourth overall trip to State and its first since 2019, adding another line to a legacy that already includes a 2018 title.
If not for a last-minute strike from Klein Cain’s Parker Glenn that broke a scoreless deadlock in extra time, the Rams might have had another shot at the trophy. But even in defeat, Elsik reinforced its status as a brand — one defined by intensity, pride, and an enduring hunger for more.
That hunger begins in the back line, where senior center back Dany Molina returns to anchor the Rams’ defense and set the tone for another run.
“We know that there are going to be some who doubt us, and it’s something that we were faced with last season,” Molina said. “That’s out of our control. So, all we can do is continue to work as hard as we can, as much as possible, and find out what we’re capable of, together.”
For Molina, though, the team’s story is still unfolding.
“What’s yet to come, you know,” he said with a grin. “Our story — or mine — isn’t over just yet, so it’s going to be what we make it.”
That sense of perspective captures both his composure and ambition. His understanding of the game — shaped by years of dedication — keeps him grounded in both mindset and execution.
“I’ve always been passionate about this sport,” he said. “From the time that I first started to walk to now, it’s just been a big factor in my life. The technique and mentality that I associate with it — that’s something I’ve come to appreciate, and it makes all the work worth it.”
When asked what makes Elsik’s soccer culture so distinct, Molina doesn’t hesitate.
“It’s our mentality and how we came up,” he said. “We use that to fuel us and our ambition.”
As the Rams prepare for another campaign, that mentality endures — steady, unflinching, and certain of one thing: the story isn’t finished yet.