Texas High School Girls Team Spotlight – Bellaire Cardinals
The high school soccer season is reaching a critical point in the state of Texas as, after some months of district play, the playoffs are ready to start across the Lone Star State. During the postseason, the goal becomes making…
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Continue ReadingThe high school soccer season is reaching a critical point in the state of Texas as, after some months of district play, the playoffs are ready to start across the Lone Star State. During the postseason, the goal becomes making it to the State Tournament, but with only four teams per division making the cut, several battles are expected to take place over the next few weeks.
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.
Bellaire Cardinals
The Bellaire Cardinals from Houston are a part of the UIL Division 6A – Region 3, District 18. Although they couldn’t secure their tenth consecutive district title, the team’s talented group of seniors led Bellaire to their 32nd-straight playoff appearance. The Cardinals, however, haven’t made it past the area round since 1997 and will make another attempt this season.
Players to Watch
Hadley Wormser
Hadley Wormser
A very physical center back, Wormser knows how to use her skills to dominate the game and prevent opponents from creating chances. She’s a versatile defender, who thrives when operating inside the penalty box, winning aerial duels and blocking shots, but can also a very good when she needs to step further up and chase attackers. Wormser uses her strength to overpower opponents and also has good pace to recover when she’s beaten or to cover teammates. She’s solid on the ball too and connects long passes from the back and take free kicks into the opposing penalty box.
Peyton Tan
Peyton Tan
Tan covers a lot of ground in the center of the field for the Cardinals and is a key piece in terms of winning the ball back and disrupting plays. She also gets on the ball a lot and gives the team a good rhythm when in possession, connecting clean passes and often finding teammates with good run to operate. Tan is very dynamic and maintains her high level of intensity during entire matches. She can also finish from distance with good precision.
Grishma Oomman
Grishma Oomman
Oomman plays in an attacking role in Bellaire’s midfield, having good connection with the team’s most offensive players. She moves around the final third very well and, despite having a more central role with the team, ofter drifts to the flank to combine with the wider players. Oomman moves the ball around well, uses both of her feet efficiently and is very involved with the Cardinals’ buildup. She also makes some intelligent runs into the penalty box to finish chances.
Brenda Castro
Brenda Castro
A player with great mobility and skills on the ball, Castro can play anywhere in Bellaire’s frontline. She’s at her best when deployed on the wings, where she has more room to use her pace and dribbling ability to make plays. Castro is a big part of the Cardinals’ offense and that becomes evident with how often her teammates look to get her the ball. She’s not very tall or strong, but uses her body well to shield the ball, especially on throw-ins. The winger also does some solid defensive work, tracking back and helping the team regain possession.
Anneliese Switzer
Anneliese Switzer
Switzer is typically Bellaire’s most advanced player on the field and she works as the team’s main focal offensive point. An excellent finisher, she has good size and uses it well to get on the end of long passes and to get headers inside the penalty box, but is also very skilled when operating deeper. A lefty, Switzer has good dribbling ability and also uses her pace to beat defenders in space. She’s very direct with her play, always looking to get into the penalty box and finish. Switzer is also very skilled in set pieces.