5A Conference Rivalry opener CHHS VS GHS Game Overview

The 5A Region 1 conference play opened with long-time rivalry teams Colleyville Heritage (CHHS) and Grapevine (GHS). Two teams with a history of intense rivalry in most sports and girl's soccer being no exception. Both GHS and CHHS respectively have a past of being strong teams, with both having an impressive history of playoff and state tournament showings. As well as historically having multiple strong college recruits coming out of both schools.   GHS proved to be the stronger team with a 4-1 win over CHHS in this rivalry match up. With GHS goals scored by #2 Rowan Truman, #9 Emma Johnson (2 goals), and #22 Brooke Turner. CHHS lone goal scored by #14 Kyra Dolgin. GHS overall had more possession in the midfield, and scoring opportunities by building through the outside defenders, and wingers. As well as a very early goal in the first five minutes of the game, and another late goal in the last minutes of the first half set the strong offensive tone for GHS. Giving CHHS an uphill battle to come back into the second half, but falling short with only being able to secure one goal in the second half.   CHHS : Started conference play ranking #715 nationally, and #152 in the state of Texas. With 20 goals for, and 9 goals against. with their top three goal scorers being, #7 [player_tooltip player_id='27137' first='Olivia' last='Belcher'] (7 goals), #2 Alanah Blanco (3 goals), and #6 [player_tooltip player_id='26468' first='Anna' last='Sugg'] (3 goals). Also # 7 [player_tooltip player_id='27137' first='Olivia' last='Belcher'] leading CHHS in assist. CHHS played a 4-3-3 formation. They struggled to keep possession in the midfield, with their main passing focus to try play balls behind GHS's defense. With getting scored on early in the first half CHHS had to instead shift their game plan to be more defensive to try to hold off GHS's offense.   <h2>CHHS top players:</h2>   #7 [player_tooltip player_id='27137' first='Olivia' last='Belcher'] was clearly the player to watch for CHHS. Being the target forward in their 4-3-3 formation she was the main point of attack! She effectively used her size to body GHS's defenders off of the ball, and hold/ keep the ball in play allowing her teammates to get open and build play offensively. Though she uses her strength on the ball well, her technical ability is her greatest strength as a player. She confidentially took players on 1v1 through the middle of the field, and looked to make a shot, or to make threatening passes through GHS's defense.   #14 Kyra Dolgin: scored the lone goal for CHHS in the second half, not allowing GHS to have clean sheet defensively.   #15 Kaia Drese: a technical winger, she assisted Kyra Dolgin's goal. She made great offensive-threatening passes to the forwards. Breaking down GHS's defense with great through balls through the gaps of the defense allowing the forwards to create chances, and shots on goal.   GHS: Started conference play ranking #288 nationally, and #60 in the state of Texas. With 30 goals for, and 12 goals against. With their top goal scores being, #14 [player_tooltip player_id='27306' first='Theresa' last='McCullough'] (a Baylor University Soccer commit), #2 Rowan Truman, and #9 Emma Johnson. Also, #14 [player_tooltip player_id='27306' first='Theresa' last='McCullough'] leading GHS in assists. GHS dominated the game. Scoring two goals in the first half, with the first goal 2 minutes and 45 seconds into the game, and scoring another two goals in the second half. GHS strength on the outside allowed them to build the attack from the outside backs through the wingers, then transitioning into crosses for their forwards to finish off. GHS played a 4-5-1 formation, giving them more control in the midfield and using their numbers in the midfield to heavily press CHHS's back four.   <h2>GHS top Players:</h2>   #9 Emma Johnson: Awarded Player of the match, scoring two goals. A quick outside midfielder who used her speed to press CHHS's outside back. She scored the first goal of the game by again pressing the outside back stealing a rebound off the defender and scoring am easy goal. She used her speed to not only take her outside back down the line for 1v1s but also to serve in crosses for other attackers to get a chance to score a header.   #6 [player_tooltip player_id='27221' first='Samantha' last='Lumpkin']: A defender notching an assist from a long throw-in, who is also third for assist on the team is a dual threat. The outside defender took both throw-ins from both sides of the field, her throw-ins acted as corner kicks as she could easily launch the ball into the box. Defensively she shut down CHHS's attack, stealing the ball and making easy passes to her supporting midfielders.   #16 Lucy Dellosso: defensive center-mid was a dominant force in the middle. She won challenges in the air, blocking CHHS's attempts to chip the ball over the defense. As well as used her technical ability to dribble the ball up the field. She played great through balls on the ground splitting CHHS's defense, and combined give-and-goes well up the sideline with #9 Emma Johnson.

The 5A Region 1 conference play opened with long-time rivalry teams Colleyville Heritage (CHHS) and Grapevine (GHS). Two teams with a history of intense rivalry in most sports and girl's soccer being no exception. Both GHS and CHHS respectively have a past of being strong teams, with both having an impressive history of playoff and state tournament showings. As well as historically having multiple strong college recruits coming out of both schools.