Texas High School Boys Team Spotlight – Shadow Creek Sharks
The high school soccer season is underway in the state of Texas and until mid-April, then the State Tournament will be held, thousands of teams will be in action all across the Lone Star State competing for a spot in…
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Continue ReadingThe high school soccer season is underway in the state of Texas and until mid-April, then the State Tournament will be held, thousands of teams will be in action all across the Lone Star State competing for a spot in the playoffs.
Prep Soccer will be following the action and constantly providing match reports on some of the most exciting duels and highlighting the players that are standing out for their teams. We’ll also be presenting some of the most promising teams that we get to watch live so you know them a little bit better.
Shadow Creek Sharks
The Sharks from the Shadow Creek High School out of Pearland are part of the UIL’s Division 6A – Region 3, District 23. Their most productive campaign is not too far behind as they made a run to the area round in 2021 and the Sharks will be looking to have another prolific season.
Players to Watch
Harsh Patel
Harsh Patel
A versatile player, Patel started his senior season playing as a left-back for the Sharks. He’s very good on the ball and is very important in terms of helping the team build out of the back, connecting good passes. Patel is also a solid defensive player who uses his body well and knows when to leave his position and double on an opponent to win the ball. He can also play further up on the field or in midfield, from where he fires some dangerous shots.
Ethan Wiltz
Ethan Wiltz
Wiltz is a big part of Shadow Creek’s as due to his positioning he’s heavy involved with everything the team does. Normally deployed as a more defensive-minded midfielder, he covers a lot of ground and uses his size and strength to shield the backline and win balls in the middle. Wiltz also helps the team offensively, controlling the pace of the game and making very few mistakes in possession.
Caden Garbade
Caden Garbade
Garbade is Shadow Creek’s main playmaker and has a big role in the team’s offensive system. He’s not incredibly fast, but moves well around the field and often drifts to the wings to get on the ball. Much of Garbade’s game is built upon his tremendous passing ability. A lefty, he sees the game well and always tries to connect passes that will find his teammates on good spots. The midfielder is also very quick in his mind and often plays with a single touch. Garbade can also be a threat on set pieces by either taking them or using his size to get on the end of them and score with a header.
Gabri Forghieri
Gabri Forghieri
Forghieri plays in a very advanced midfield role for Shadow Creek, almost as a second forward. The role suits him well as it allows him to be in a great position to finish or pass if he manages to beat one opponent off the dribble. Forghieri is very direct on his approach and is very good at dribbling the ball forward and at finishing from distance. He also does good work on the defensive side of the game, tracking back and fighting to win the ball.
Darrius Gardner
Darrius Gardner
Gardner’s pace up front provides Shadow Creek with a good transition outlet and also an alternative to change the rhythm of the game. He plays the game with a lot of energy and is very good out wide, making good runs on and off the ball. Gardner is a good dribbler but is probably even better when attacking the space and getting on the end of through balls. Capable of playing on either wing, he’s very direct and doesn’t overcomplicate things on offense while also making good pressure on opposing defender when without the ball.