Texas High School Boys Team Spotlight – Cy-Woods Wildcats
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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SubscribeThe 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.
Cy-Woods Wildcats
The Cypress Woods Wildcats from Cypress compete in the UIL Division 6A – Region 2, District 16. The team has claimed the district title this season and ended the 13-year playoff drought that haunted the program for more than a decade. The Wildcats are set to make their fourth overall postseason appearance and will attempt to go further than they did in 2010, when they were stopped in the area round.
Players to Watch
Tony Robia
Tony Robia
Robia offers a stable presence for the Wildcats between the posts. He has good length, excellent reflexes and is really quick when he needs to make decisions. He doesn’t hesitate when he needs to leave the goal to make a save and normally beats the opponent to the ball. A senior, Robia communicates really well and leads the backline from his position. He’s also very clean with the ball at his feet and helps the team maintain possession.
Sam Sager
Sam Sager
A player with solid physical and technical tools, Sager plays on the left side of Cy-Woods’ three-man backline. From there, he’s in position to use his athleticism to duel with opposing wingers but also to initiate plays and make forward runs when he senses an opportunity. Sager is strong in the air and uses his body well to win space and shield the ball. A lefty, he’s also very productive when taking set pieces and sending crosses inside the penalty box from distance.
Jackson Whitley
Jackson Whitley
Whitley is a versatile player who can used in multiple positions for the Wildcats. He typically begins matches at right wingback, a position where his strong defensive work and physical tools make of him a strong presence. He also has the pace and the stamina to go up and down the field during entire matches. Whitley can also be used in a more advanced position, and even as a striker if needed, to make an impact with his physical play. Very strong in the air, he can be a target for long passes and create or finish chances inside the penalty box with his head. Whitley plays with everything he has and never holds anything back when he’s on the field.
Nathan LaFleur
Nathan LaFleur
LaFleur adds a lot of dynamism to Cy-Woods’ game with his presence in the middle. Very active and strong on both sides of the ball, he’s very involved with everything the Wildcats do. Playing in front of the team’s backline, he cover a lot of ground, works hard for possession and wins the ball back quite often. When he has it, LaFleur is also very productive. His game is very well-rounded and he can progress the ball with solo runs, by dribbling in tight spaces or by passing it to a teammate. He also finishes well from long distance and is never afraid to attempt shots.
Jairo Contreras
Jairo Contreras
Contreras is probably Cy-Woods’ player with the greatest ability to make game-changing plays. He is used in a central position in the team’s midfield and is very good at progressing the ball. Contreras is very quick in possession and really difficult to dispossess. Because of that, he makes good runs through the middle, beating opponents along the way. Very technical, the midfielder also has excellent vision and connects good passes.
