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2022-23 Ridge Point Girls Soccer
THE LAST OF US: Ridge Point Girls, Seven Lakes off to State
After several close matchups, only two Houston teams–Ridge Point Girls and Seven Lakes Boys– remain in the UIL-6A final four.
The entire Winter season has culminated in this upcoming finale, starting with the State Semifinals on Friday at Birklebach Field in Georgetown, TX, followed by the Title game on Saturday.
Here is the outlook for these H-Town clubs who are primed to cement their names in history.
Ridge Point Panthers (6A Girls Soccer)
2022-23 Ridge Point Girls Soccer
Jamie Wright (VYPE)
Ridge Point Panthers
2022-23 Regular Season: 15-0-2/District 20-6A Champions (14-0-2)
Overall Record: 23-0-5
Head Coach: Evelyn Torres (9th year at Ridge Point)
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 1-0 Win v. Cinco Ranch
- Area Round: 4-0 Win v. Cy-Fair
- Regional Quarterfinals: 1-0 Win v. Seven Lakes
- Regional Semifinals: 1-0 Win v. Clear Lake
- Regional Finals: 3-0 Win v. Stratford
Regional Tournament MVP(s): "Our defensive line stood out in the Regional Tourney," said Head Coach Evelyn Torres. "Emma Lovell, Georgia Mulholland, Thaleia Caldwell, and Taylor Vinson protect our team and GK from any threats. Dayo Tennyson has incredible speed, and Hannah Warnken is the heart and soul of our team and gives it everything she has with her effort and hustle.
State Semifinals Matchup: v. Wylie East (28-0)
Keys to the Game: "Seizing the moment, playing great and rising up to the challenge," Torres said. "This aspect of the game is easier said than done. It's difficult getting here and you don't want to have any regrets when time expires."
Prospectus: Ridge Point is looking scarier than ever after knocking off the undefeated Stratford to seal their second-consecutive Region III Championship.
Last season saw the Panthers reach the State Semifinals only to fall to Rockwall in a heartbreaking 4-2 overtime defeat. Ridge Point will see to it that things play out differently, come this Friday.
"When the season ended last year in April to about November, we talked about getting back," said Torres. "That became our goal, our standard. However, once this year season started, as a group, we didn't talk about it much. We always focused on the game ahead of us. But if you asked everyone individually, that was their goal, get back to Georgetown."
The Fort Bend ISD reps are locked in, with a steadfast determination to claim their first-ever State Title.
"Winning a state championship for the team, for our school and for our school district would mean everything to us all. The girls have an opportunity to make school history."
Just two more wins to go.
Seven Lakes Spartans (6A Boys Soccer)
Seven Lakes after becoming Region 3 Champions
Seven Lakes Spartans
2022-23 Regular Season: 15-1-1/District 19-6A Champions (15-0-1)
Overall Record: 26-1-1
Head Coach: Jim Krueger (16th year at Seven Lakes)
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 2-0 Win v. Fort Bend Austin
- Area Round: 2-0 Win v. Bellaire
- Regional Quarterfinals: 2-2 (4-3 Penalty Shootout) Win v. Cinco Ranch
- Regional Semifinals: 3-0 Win v. Clear Springs
- Regional Finals: 6-0 Win v. Dobie
Regional Tournament MVP(s): "The past Regional Tournament saw several players standing out," said Head Coach Jim Krueger. "In fact, the past two matches have been the most challenging in naming a Player of the Game. One of the keys to our success is that we have a number of players that can hurt you and that those players play with a team mindset."
State Semifinals Matchup: v. Garland Sachse (21-6-0)
Keys to the Game: "Sachse is going to be a technical side that looks to play direct," Krueger said. "They have high work rate. We will want to try to make them uncomfortable with our speed of play in the final half. They have gotten this far for a reason, we will need to continue to play at a high level to move on to the finals."
Prospectus: Seven Lakes is widely regarded as one of, if not the best soccer programs in the state of Texas, which is indicative of their preceding successes.
The Spartans are no stranger to the pressure that comes with being in the final four, considering they reached the State Semifinals a year ago, in which they were narrowly defeated 3-2 by Plano.
"Where we are today is something that has been built over years," said Krueger. "Each graduating class has worked towards leaving the badge in a better place. The continued competitive growth of our district has pushed us to get better each passing year. One of the most difficult things is staying on top once you get there. We know this and continue to work hard to remain in the conversation as being one of the best in the state."
Seven Lakes now has the opportunity to flip the script this weekend, as they prepare to make history for the school.
"A State Championship would be an amazing achievement," Krueger said. "It would be the first title won by a boys’ soccer team in Katy. We have had several teams get close over the years. It will eventually happen as the soccer here in Katy ISD is truly top notch. It definitely would be nice to be the ones to the hold the trophy over our heads at the end of the day this Saturday. I know our school is excited about the opportunity."
First up is Sachse. Stay tuned.
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Kingwood Girls Soccer celebrates their win in Round 2
SOCCER CITY: Houston 6A girls have legit shot at two State spots
In the Sweet-16 round of UIL Playoff Soccer, six teams from the Houston-area remain.
From Bridgeland to The Woodlands, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if any of these remarkable clubs will be competing for the State Championship in two weeks.
...
6A Girls Soccer
*Record Format: W-L-T (Tournament games not included)
*List is ordered alphabetically
Bridgeland Bears
Photo acquired via Twitter: @BridgelandGS
Bridgeland Bears
2022-23 Regular Season: 14-0-1/District 16-6A Champions (13-0-1)
Head Coach: Kaitlyn Bourgeois
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 4-1 Win v. Tomball Memorial
- Area Round: 1-0 Win v. Grand Oaks
- Regional Quarterfinals: 1-0 Win v. Tomball
Round 3 MVP(s): "We all know that our big players are stepping up big time, but in order to have success, we need all 23 players executing their role to the best of their ability," said Coach Bourgeois. "Every win has featured career highlight worthy performances from multiple players, and the support from our bench has been crucial."
"Our family and friends in the stands have also been our MVPs as well They continue to show up for us, get rowdy, decorate our playoff busses, provide awesome goodie bags, celebrate each win like it's our last, and even brought me a homecooked meal while I was working late this past weekend."
Regional Semifinals Matchup: v. Mansfield
Keys to the Game: "Discipline and desire," Bourgeois said. "Mansfield is a very confident and talented team with playmakers all over their roster. We are really looking forward to this match up."
Prospectus: The Bears have been a top-tier club all throughout the Winter, which has carried over to the postseason. Each of their stars have shown up at the opportune times.
Bridgeland has talent to spare, with junior Anaiyah Robinson leading the attack, senior midfielders, Regan Fisher (Team Captain) and Hope BIllington (Sr.) thwarting the opposing attack while facilitating their own, or Karryn Duncan (Sr. Team Captain) and Brooke Martin (Fr.) anchoring the backline.
What exactly has brought the undefeated Bridgeland to this point?
"Belief in who we are and what we are doing have been the key ingredient to our success," said Bourgeois. "From the coaching staff, to the players, to the parents, we are all believers in US and committed to doing whatever it takes to keep this season alive."
Clear Lake Falcons
Photo acquired via Twitter: @LakeLadySoccer
Clear Lake Falcons
2022-23 Regular Season: 14-0-2/District 24-6A Champions (11-0-1)
Head Coach: Lisa Manis
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 8-1 Win over Alief Elsik
- Area Round: 1-1 (3-2 Penalty Shootout) Win v. West Brook
- Regional Quarterfinals: 0-0 (5-4 Penalty Shootout) Win v. Summer Creek
Round 3 MVP(s): Sophomore GK Jaelyn Bracamonte-- "She is young and has done an exceptional job of carrying the mental stress of knowing that the game will come down to her making saves," said Coach Manis. "She was able to stay focused and make the saves she could as our shooters did their job of making their PKs."
Regional Semifinals Matchup: v. Ridge Point
Keys to the Game: "The key to playing against Ridge Point is respecting their strengths and making sure we utilize our strengths as a team," Manis said. "These girls are resilient and have been pushed all year against strong competition which has made us stronger."
Prospectus: Clear Lake has contended with some of the best in Texas and have managed to prove themselves time and time again.
The Falcons' strength lies in their chemistry, per Coach Manis. Clear Lake's synchronized mentality and ability to communicate with ease between each third of the field has been invaluable, which is evidenced by their perfect record.
"Our team plays for each other and each wins builds our confidence and strength as a team," said Manis. "We haven’t focused on winning and losing throughout the year. Our focus has always been keep improving and fine tuning how we play. Moving forward through the playoff run has been laying it all out there and playing with no regrets when the game ends."
Kingwood Mustangs
Photo acquired via HC Pres Holcomb
Kingwood Mustangs
2022-23 Regular Season: 11-1/District 21-6A Champions (9-1)
Head Coach: Pres Holcomb
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 8-0 Win v. Pasadena
- Area Round: 1-0 Win v. Clear Creek
- Regional Quarterfinals: 1-0 Win v. Atascocita
Round 3 MVP(s): Junior Forward Giselle Clark--Kingwood's Clark scored in the 58th minute, which would turn out to be the game-winner, as the Lady Mustangs' defense extended their postseason scoreless streak into the Regional rounds.
Regional Semifinals Matchup: v. Stratford
Prospectus: Kingwood is on a hot streak at the perfect time, as Humble ISD's last representative in the UIL postseason.
After breezing through the opening round, the Mustangs have showcased their longevity and mental toughness by claiming two consecutive one-score wins, earning them a trip to the Regional Tournament.
Fans will be in for a show when KHS takes on an equally impressive Stratford group in their Semifinals matchup.
With a stonewall back line and scoring threats all over the field, Kingwood is looking dangerous.
Ridge Point Panthers
Jamie Wright (VYPE)
Ridge Point Panthers
2022-23 Regular Season: 15-0-2/District 20-6A Champions (14-0-2)
Head Coach: Evelyn Torres
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 1-0 Win v. Cinco Ranch
- Area Round: 4-0 Win v. Cy-Fair
- Regional Quarterfinals: 1-0 Win v. Seven Lakes
Round 3 MVP(s): "Some of our MVPs of the recent match would be Kara Canetti who scored the game winning goal for us," said Coach Torres. "Secondly, our defensive line-- Emma Lovell,Thaleia Caldwell,Georgia Mulholland, and Taylor Vinson --for keeping the game scoreless. Last but not least our goal keeper Molly Thompson for commanding our defense line and field players throughout the game."
Regional Semifinals Matchup: v. Clear Lake
Keys to the Game: "Finishing our opportunities in the final third, giving our all for the full 80 minutes and more if needed, and lastly, the discipline and desire to win."
Prospectus: Ridge Point, the champions of Fort Bend ISD, have been one of the most consistent squads around. Not to mention having arguably one of, if not the best defenses in the state of Texas, having only allowed 5 goals all season, with a scoreless postseason thus far, that makes it difficult for opponents to keep up.
"Our team has maintained the momentum from regular season to now by focusing on our team goals and playing our game," Torres said. "Each one of our players knows their role and our purpose going in to the postseason and is determined to achieve our goals of having a successful postseason."
Stratford Spartans
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Stratford Spartans
2022-23 Regular Season: 16-0-1/District 17-6A Champions (14-0)
Head Coach: David Walters
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 9-0 Win v.Houston Westside
- Area Round: 5-0 Win v. FB Elkins
- Regional Quarterfinals: 1-0 Win v. Katy Tompkins
Round 3 MVP(s): "There have been so many that have stepped up but our forward, Lauren Ahearn (Sr.) really is a big game player," said Coach Walters. "She always finds a way to score when we need her the most and she managed to do just that vs Tompkins."
Regional Semifinals Matchup: v. Kingwood
Keys to the Game: "Not turning the ball over and eliminating counter attacks."
Prospectus: Yet another undefeated team among this stacked list of teams, what exactly sets Stratford apart?
"Our tenacity and quickness to keep possession and win the ball back/intercept passes has been crucial for us," Walters said. "Our midfield has been able to regularly stop attacks by staying in passing lanes and preventing through balls. Our overall team defense have limited our playoff opponents to 5 shots on goal combined and less than 30% possession." \\
"They have been hyper focused on going farther than last season and the team chemistry is fantastic. They all root for each other and this pushes us to succeed."
Stratford's matchup against a red-hot Kingwood team should be a game to remember.
The Woodlands Highlanders
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The Woodlands Highlanders:
2022-23 Regular Season: 15-0-1/District 13-6A Champions
Head Coach: Frankie Whitlock
2022-23 Playoffs:
- Bi-District: 8-0 Win v. Spring
- Area Round: 4-4 (4-3 Penalty Shootout) Win v. Klein
- Regional Quarterfinals: 2-0 Win v. Klein Oak
Round 3 MVP(s): "We all take responsibility in what we are doing and try to do our jobs," said Coach Whitlock. "If everyone does their part... good things can happen."
Regional Semifinals Matchup: v. Wylie East
Keys to the Game: "We have played some incredible competition this year," Whitlock said. "Our takeaways from those games is resilience and improving as a team. We have had some battles, so I feel we gain confidence and improve our game through these great matches."
Prospectus: The undefeated Highlanders have proven to be one of the most consistent programs in the State. According to Head Coach Whitlock, The Woodlands' strength is exemplified by their culture, which has allowed their momentum to pick up in the postseason.
"We did everything as a team," he said. "Everyone is valued and is important. We are going to put up a good fight and compete. We love playing the game. We look forward to our matches and we aren't quite ready to be finished yet. Our playoff motto has been 'Not Today'."