GAMES
RANKINGS
THE DEFINING 80: UIL Girls Soccer 2025-26 State Final Preview -- Walnut Grove vs. Smithson Valley (5A D1)
UIL Girls Soccer State Championship // 5A Division 1
Walnut Grove Wildcats vs. Smithson Valley Rangers
WHEN: Friday, April 10th (4/10) -- 11:00 AM
WHERE: Birkelbach Field -- Georgetown, TX
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WALNUT GROVE WILDCATS
It’s clearly a banner year to be a Wildcat, as both the girls and boys programs at Walnut Grove advanced to the title game this past week. While the stage is a familiar one for the boys—the defending 5A Division 1 champions—Friday will mark the girls’ first-ever State Final appearance under head coach Nikki Marshall.
Walnut Grove (23-2-1) extended its historic playoff run with a gritty 2–0 victory over Centennial last Friday, fueled by a series of decisive moments from junior goalkeeper Finley Pike. Pike, a Brown commit, delivered back-to-back saves on a Centennial penalty kick, preserving the shutout and shifting momentum in the Wildcats’ favor.
WGHS is just as dangerous on the attack, led by freshman phenom Brynlie Ward alongside last year’s District 9-5A Offensive MVP Maya Nohr, Utility MVP Ellery Robson (Oregon State commit), and junior midfielder Ava Kim.
The boys captured the title last season—who’s to say the girls can’t carve out their own place in the UIL record books?

SMITHSON VALLEY RANGERS
Meanwhile, Smithson Valley earned a measure of revenge last week, defeating A&M Consolidated 2–0 to eliminate the same team that ended its season in last year’s State Semifinals. In doing so, head coach Jason Adkins and the Rangers improved to a perfect 28–0 this spring and now have the opportunity to secure the program’s first state championship—potentially capping an undefeated season.
Depth and dependability remain the calling cards for Smithson Valley, highlighted by the versatile presence of Abilene Christian-bound senior forward Addison Briscoe, along with Peyton Cox, Alondra Sanchez, Izzy Sutherland (Gonzaga), and senior midfielder Morgan Heintz, who is committed to Incarnate Word.

EXTRA TIME: Previewing the 2025 UIL Soccer State Finals--Walnut Grove v. SA Southwest (Boys 5A-D1)
The stage is set for an exciting showdown in the UIL 5A-Division I State Final as Walnut Grove and San Antonio Southwest face off this Friday at 6:30 PM at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown.
Both teams have made history by reaching the state final for the first time, and now, they’ll battle for their first-ever state championship.
Walnut Grove enters the final with an imposing undefeated record of 24-0-2, having sealed their spot in the title match with a dominant 5-1 victory over Americas in the state semifinals last Friday.
The Wildcats’ run to the State Final Four marks the program’s first-ever appearance at this stage, and they are determined to cap off their historic year with a title.
Under the leadership of head coach Trent Kutch, Walnut Grove has relied on a potent offense and solid teamwork throughout the season.
Junior midfielder Mason Kutch (DePaul-commit) has been a standout, leading the charge with 36 goals and 20 assists. His skill and vision have been crucial to the team’s success in 2025.
Supporting him are seniors Ben Joyner (18 goals) and Christian Nardelli (11 goals), who bring additional firepower to the attack, while senior midfielder Carson Stiglets (10 assists) ensures the midfield runs smoothly and provides key distribution.
On the other side of the field, San Antonio Southwest is enjoying a remarkable season of their own.
The Dragons have gone 25-1 thus far, and they are coming off a 5-0 victory over Angleton in the state semifinals, a dominant performance that further solidified their place in the final.
Coached by Juan Romero, Southwest boasts a relentless offense, scoring an impressive 135 goals in just 26 games this season—an average of nearly five goals per match. This firepower is complemented by an equally efficient defense, which has allowed just 11 goals all year.
Southwest features a trio of prolific scorers: junior forward Caleb Barajas, senior forward Cesar Angel, and sophomore Alfredo Plascencia. Together, they’ve tormented opposing defenses all season.
In addition, defenders Sebastian Huerta (sophomore) and Valente Leon (senior midfielder) are vital to both the team’s defensive solidity and attacking transitions.
The emergence of freshman goalkeeper Emiliano Romo has also been a game-changer, as he has kept 13 clean sheets this season, providing a reliable last line of defense.
History will soon be made, as both Walnut Grove and SA Southwest contend for their first-ever title, in the UIL 5A-D1 Final, taking place Friday (6:30 PM) at Birkelbach Field.






























