GAMES
RANKINGS
DAY BY DAY: No moment too big for A&M Consolidated's Bjork
The Tigers finished 10-3 overall and second behind College Station High in district play. They have gotten hot in the postseason, however, knocking off Wagner, Fulshear and Cedar Park.
“Ever since Coach (Brandon) Schmidt has taken over, he talks about the goal,” he said. “Not making the playoffs but advancing to state. He reminds us to take it day-by-day and this senior class has done that. That has been the key to our success. It’s the now… not the future.”
Via Payton Bjork
The Tigers have been blessed with hosting two of their three playoffs games this postseason, which has made this run even more sweet.
“Going into Cedar Park, we knew this would be our last home game as a senior,” he said. “That made it more special and for us to put a little more ‘umph’ into it. Our home crowd is amazing… one of the best in the state and they really make a difference in the game.”
The Tigers travel to Austin to face Smithson Valley this Friday, one game away from the State Final Four. What’s the plan?
“We are just going to do what we do,” he said. “That’s what has gotten us here, so we are sticking with it.”
Barbers Hill Girls Soccer following their Area Round victory
LEVEL UP: 5A Girls surging to Regional Quarters
The UIL Soccer Area Round provided another series of intense competitions between the finest clubs Texas has to offer.
Following some exceptional performances, which featured a myriad of nail-biters on the pitch, several Houston teams are advancing to the Regional Quarterfinals, with fans in tow.
Here are the H-Town teams (5A-Girls) primed to maintain their momentum in Round No. 3 of the UIL postseason, this Friday and Saturday.
5A Girls Soccer
*Record Format: W-L-T (Tournament games not included)
*List is ordered alphabetically
A&M Consolidated Tigers
2022-23 Regular Season: 14-0-1/District 21-5A Champions (14-0)
Head Coach: Caleb Blakley
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 7-0 Win v. Ellison
- Area Round: 0-0 (6-5 Penalty Shootout) Win v. Hendrickson
Difference-Maker: Sophomore GK Abby Rowse--Excellent performance in-goal was capped off by two clutch saves in PKs to send the Tigers to Rd. 3
Regional Quarterfinals Matchup: v. Belton
A&M Consolidated after their Area Round victoryPhoto provided by HC Caleb Blakley
Angleton Wildcats
2022-23 Regular Season: 13-3-1/Finished 2nd in District 18-5A
Head Coach: Jennifer Briggs
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 2-1 Win v. Crosby
- Area Round: 2-0 Win v. Milby
Difference-Maker: "After a 13 year drought of not reaching the Regional Quarterfinals game, this was a special moment for us," said Coach Briggs. "At the time, we had 6 girls out due to injury (including 4 starters), so the win against a feisty Milby team was a total team (and bench) effort."
Regional Quarterfinals Matchup: v. Barbers Hill
Photo provided by Angleton HC Jennifer Briggs
Barbers Hill Eagles
2022-23 Regular Season: 12-2/ Finished 2nd in District 17-5
Head Coach: Bonnie Landry
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 3-1 Win v. Santa Fe
- Area Round: 2-2 (3-1 Penalty Shootout) Win v. Foster
Difference-Maker Senior Forward Jacie Merideth led the Eagles' attack with two goals. In addition, the goalkeeper duo of Trinity Atkinson (So.) and Kennedy Franks (Fr.), paired with center backs Jasmine Garcia (Sr.) and Aly Valdez (Jr.), provided the defensive push Barbers Hill needed to advance to the third round.
Regional Quarterfinals Matchup: v. Angleton
Photo provided by Barbers Hill HC Bonnie Landry
Friendswood Mustangs
2022-23 Regular Season: 13-3-1/District 18-5A Champions (12-0)
Head Coach: Laura Peter
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 2-1 Win v. Goose Creek Memorial
- Area Round: 5-1 Win v. Waltrip
Difference-Maker: Senior Forward Olivia Schmidt-- The team captain had a hat trick in the Mustangs' second-round victory over Waltrip. These three goals bring Schmidt's season total to an astounding 42 (122 career total).
Regional Quarterfinals Matchup: v. Port Neches-Groves
Friendswood Girls Soccer post-victory in the Area RoundPhoto provided by HC Laura Peter
Magnolia Bulldogs
2022-23 Regular Season: 10-3-1/Finished 2nd in District 21-5A
Head Coach: April Cleveland
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 6-0 Win v. Waco
- Area Round: 4-1 Win v. Bastrop
Regional Quarterfinals Matchup: v. Georgetown
Port Neches-Groves Indians
2022-23 Regular Season: 12-1-1/District 17-5A Champions
Head Coach: Aimee Bates
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 4-0 Win v. Manvel
- Area Round: 3-0 Win v. Fulshear
Difference-Maker: The PNG Defense--Coach Bates' backline has been outstanding all season, allowing a mere 13 goals against the 124 the Indians Attack has scored, which is capped off with the two consecutive shutouts to start the postseason.
Regional Quarterfinals Matchup: v. Friendswood
PNG Girls Soccer following their win over FulshearPhoto provided by HC Aimee Bates