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PREVIEW: Celina Hunts for a 3-Peat
Securing their second-consecutive state title to round out their season last year was just one of the highlights of Celina Athletics. With powerful athletes in every sport, the Celina Lady Bobcats soccer team continued strong and look to keep a hot streak going as they enter another season. VYPE DFW takes a look at what fans can expect from this squad:
Rewind
Undefeated on the season, Celina posted a 29-0 overall record while outscoring their opponents by a combined nearly 200 goals on the season. Through non-district play, the team towered over Mabank, Kilgore, McKinney, North Forney, Longview, Centennial, Ursuline, Lewisville, and more as they sharpened their claws to take on their district opponents. Once in district play, the Lady Bobcats finished with a 10-0 record at the top of their standings after taking down Anna, Frisco Panther Creek, Farmersville, Bonham, and more en route to the playoffs.
Unscathed and ready for any challenge, it wasn't long before Celina got the opportunity to put their ability to the truest test-- on the biggest stage in high school soccer. The team allowed only three goals against them in the playoffs as they defeated Community (8-0), Dallas Pinkston (7-0), Mabank (4-1), Jacksonville (5-0), Anna (6-1), Boerne (2-0), and eventually Stephenville (8-1) in the UIL Class 4A Girls Soccer State Title match.
This Season
A young squad last season with a handful of seniors graduating, Celina is returning a large chunk of their phenomenal athletes this season. Looking for their fourth state tournament in four seasons, the Lady Bobcats are made up of the likes of Kaitlyn Gustofson, Emme Norman, Sammy Quiroz, Claire Flowers, Makenna Brantley, Ella Norman, Grace Pritchard, Ryleigh Stifflemire, Brookelyn Babb, Ashton Lowry, and others. With excellent leadership, the team can be expected to build up all of the newcomers and begin their campaign toward another successful season.
This season, the team begins their schedule just after the new year as they take on Jacksonville followed by brand-new Prosper Walnut Grove. Continuing on against the likes of Grapevine, Stephenville, Rockwall-Heath, McKinney Boyd, and more, there's no doubt that this team is going up against some of the best teams in the area in order to prepare for their season and post another dominant district schedule. In district play, the team will once again face off against Bonham, Aubrey, Pilot Point, Gainesville, and more as they look for a three-peat! Catch this squad in action.
STATE SEMIFINALS PREVIEW: Celina vs. Boerne
After making it to the state tournament last year, the Celina Lady Bobcats are headed back! Last season, Celina ended their year during a tough semifinals loss to Midlothian Heritage. This season, they are on the hunt for nothing less than a state title. VYPE DFW breaks down what fans can expect during Wednesday's semifinal pairing.
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The Lady Bobcats played strong through the Regional Tournament as they took down a tough Henderson team (3-0) in the Regional Semifinals before ending Melissa's season (4-0) to punch their ticket to the state tournament. The victories in the regional tournament marked over 30 goals that have gone unanswered throughout the entirety of playoffs. The team has been able to score 37 goals combined against Athens (7), Dallas Wilmer-Hutchins (14), Caddo Mills (9), Henderson (3), and Melissa (4) while allowing only one goal during post season play (against Athens).
Headed into the state tournament, the Lady Bobcats are on a 19 game win-streak. The team has proven to have an attacking offense this season with the drive to score early and often. The defense has been able to shut down some of the toughest offenses in the state. Keepers Kaitlyn Gustofson and Hannah Buller are fierce while defending and can be expected to continue to hold off attacks from their opponents.
Boerne (20-3-5) has a team who is consistent with starting strong, however the fast-pace play is something Celina is used to. Fans can expect to see the Lady Bobcats read through Boerne early on in the game and make adjustments wherever necessary in order to advance to the state title game.
The game is set to begin at 11 a.m. on Wenesday, April 13th at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown.