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DYNASTY UNLOCKED: Seven Lakes enhances legacy by going back-to-back at State; Photo Gallery
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 defender 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.
THE FINAL STAGE: Seven Lakes, Goose Creek Memorial heading to State
Following an exhilarating series of events that have taken place over the course of the past few weeks, we're finally approaching the UIL Soccer state championship.
Katy ISD was well-represented in the Regional Tournament, with teams such as Cinco Ranch, Katy Jordan, and Seven Lakes in the fold. However, the Spartans now hold the remarkable distinction of having both the boys' and girl's teams preparing to compete in Georgetown on Friday.
Goose Creek Memorial extends their tremendous season by reaching the State Tournament for the first time in program history, and are the last remaining Houston-based team in the Class 5A playoffs.
As teams and fans prepare to travel to Birkelbach Field this week, it's time to examine the best that H-Town has to offer in the State Final Four.
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Seven Lakes Spartans vs. Duncanville Panthers (Boys)
Photo acquired via Twitter (@KatyISDAthletic)
It's no secret that Seven Lakes has been one of the state's most dominant programs in recent memory. Reaching the State Tournament three years in a row speaks for itself.
The Spartans (23-1-2) reminded audiences of that when they claimed a 4-0 victory over a familiar and formidable opponent Cinco Ranch this past Saturday.
Coach James Krueger was very clear about what the team's mission was prior to their playoff run, and that was to progressively make their way back to Georgetown, in hopes of becoming the first Class 6A team to go back-to-back.
Seven Lakes' star-studded roster consists of Kortay Koc, Ben Aviles Vera, Aidan Morrison, Noa Stasic, and Daniel Ejerenwa, among others.
They're only two games away from completing their mission, and it begins with Duncanville on Friday.
The Panthers (20-2-3) are coming off a thriller against Cy Woods, in which they emerged victorious on a score of 1-0.
Under the direction of coach Nuno Passos, D'Ville enters the state final-four for the first time since 1986.
They feature the talents of Nathanael Zozaya, Jesus Diaz, and Leonardo Coronado, just to name a few.
Seven Lakes Spartans vs. Prosper Eagles (Girls)
Both the Seven Lakes Girls and Boys team celebrate their Region III Championship
Photo acquired via Twitter (@KatyISDAthletic)
It's been another tremendous year for coach Kaitlyn Eidson and company, as the Spartans return to the state tournament for the first time in over a decade.
Seven Lakes (19-3-5) is coming off clutch wins against Pearland (3-0) and rival Katy Jordan (2-1) and look to carry that momentum all the way to Birkelbach Field this Friday.
They were buoyed by the instrumental performances of Wagoner Towsen and Maria Castro on the attack, while Sydney Hill, Valerie Trinh, and Carly Drescher anchor a stifling Spartan defense.
The Katy ISD reps now look to face Prosper in the State Semis.
Coach Matt Dickinson and the Eagles (24-2-2) reach the State Tournament for the first time in program history, on the heels of a thrilling game over Marcus, which saw them win in a penalty shootout (4-2).
Prosper is headlined by the talents of Maggie Manning, Brooklyn Miller, Reagan Roberts, and Olivia Hess.
Goose Creek Memorial Patriots vs. Midlothian Panthers (Boys)
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
What a year it has been for Goose Creek Memorial Soccer!
While the girls' program made history by reaching the fourth round, the boys are on a momentous run of their own, having reached the State Tournament for the first time in school history.
Coach William Freeman's roster is loaded from top to bottom, with the likes of Carlos Gonzalez, Ramon Diaz, Christian Velasco, and Oliver Reyes propelling the Patriots to new heights.
Their lock-down defense (only 23 goals allowed in 2024) is complemented by a relentless attack that has scored over 100 goals on the year, and will undoubtedly come into play when GCM plays Midlothian this Friday.
The Panthers (23-2-3) are heading to Georgetown for the first time as well, following their 3-0 win over Burgess this past Saturday.
Midlothian has put up similar stats under the direction of coach Austin Guest, and are headlined by Ayden Hildreth, Landon Exley, Caden Naizer, and Kyle Allen.