DYNASTY UNLOCKED: Seven Lakes enhances legacy by going back-to-back at State; Photo Gallery
14 Apr, 2024
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
They came. They saw. They conquered…again.
With a mass of dedicated fans in tow, Seven Lakes traveled to Birkelbach Field in Georgetown, which would mark the team’s third-straight appearance in the UIL State Tournament – the first time a program has done so in Class 6A.
However, they didn’t have any intention of stopping there.
The Spartans were on a mission to become the first Class 6A soccer team to claim back-to-back UIL state championships.
Following an exhilarating 100 minutes Saturday night, the Spartans would ultimately achieve their goal, with a 2-1 victory over Flower Mound in extra time.
In his 17th year with the program, coach James Krueger and Seven Lakes have asserted themselves as perhaps one of the most dominant teams the state has ever seen.
Coach James Krueger accepting the UIL-6A Coach of the Year AwardMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“I wanted to get as much time with these guys as possible this season," said Krueger. "To make it to the last day was everything to me. I was emotional stepping onto this field, because it was my last time with this senior class, and just the legacy that they put out their for the next generation was tremendous."
"So, what it means is that it's their accomplishment, and I was along for the ride and guiding them the best way that I could. They accomplished everything they set out for this season, and it's just an absolute story-book ending for them. It's everything they deserve for this program."
Senior midfielder Aidan Morrison was the catalyst for the Spartans, contributing the definitive goal off a free-kick in the 98th minute to seal the Spartans' resilient victory.
His exceptional efforts earned him MVP honors just minutes after the uproar, which cements his legacy as an all-time great within the team’s already rich history.
Seven Lakes' Aidan Morrison accepting the UIL-6A State MVP AwardMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“It's from all the hard work put into the program over the years," Morrison said. "It's not just this year or last year. It's all the seasons that (Coach) Krueger has built up, along with great teams and players. For us to do it the first time was unreal, but going back-to-back--you never think of that."
"The big thing has been just to trust each other. We've had such a hard season and faced plenty of adversity, which has us prepared for this. The message I've been giving the guys is to just stick together as a family, trust in each other, and I knew that we'd eventually step up to the challenge."
Seven Lakes was also buoyed by the veteran performances of Kortay Koc, Ben Aviles Vera, Fernando Lazo, Noah Bosso, and Daniel Ejerenwa, among others.
Of course, you can’t forget about the second all-time leading scorer in program history, Noa Stasic (Sr. F), who gave Seven Lakes their initial lead in the second half.
Seven Lakes senior forward Noa Stasic celebrates his goal in the 48th minuteMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“There's so much emotion in all this," he said. "It was the last time playing with these guys and I love the way it ended -- winning the title again and making history. It's going to be tough for the underclassmen to beat that, but I think it was so cathartic because of that fact."
The senior class can now relish in the fact that they have elevated Seven Lakes to state superpower status.
As Stasic mentioned, this will undoubtedly be a difficult precedent to top for anyone. However, that doesn't mean the senior forward didn't have any advice to give the younger generation who will look to uphold the mantle next Winter.
“Just keep on working," said Stasic. "That's one of the biggest things you'll learn throughout the years in this program. Even though we lost two years ago on this same field, and were crying and rolling around, we knew were going to come back and win it all. That hard-working mentality and resiliency is all they need to make a run a year from now."
The Spartans cap off another historic Winter season with a record of 25-1-2, and now travel back to Katy as back-to-back state champs.
Additionally, they may have cemented the team's status as perhaps one of the best groups to grace the high school pitch.
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DESTINY FULFILLED: Prosper claims program’s first-ever state championship; Photo Gallery
13 Apr, 2024
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
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.
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
“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.
Junior Olivia Hess accepts the Class 6A State MVP AwardMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“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."
Senior Maggie Manning admires her recently received UIL-6A first place medalMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
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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