ECNL Girls Texas Conference – Two matches to watch this weekend

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After five busy weekends, with several matches taking place across the states of Texas, Colorado and Oklahoma, the ECNL Girls Texas Conference will have a lighter schedule on Saturday and Sunday, with in-state Conference Cup duels involving four clubs from Texas and Colorado taking place.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These encounters should feature some exciting encounters in some age groups and here are two that are worth paying attention to:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Challenge SC G08 vs. FC Dallas G08 - Saturday, September 30 - @ Burroughs Park, 1:15 PM</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Houston's Challenge SC have won the first two home matches of the season and will return to Burroughs Park to face a strong FC Dallas team - on Thursday, they lost 4-3 to crosstown rivals Albion Hurricanes FC. Challenge's goalkeeper Esther Quintanilla will probably be extremely demanded on Saturday and she will rely on defenders [player_tooltip player_id='112758' first='Kayla' last='Morawietz'] and [player_tooltip player_id='112753' first='Kailey' last='Aguirre'] to get the job done between the posts. Challenge will have [player_tooltip player_id='26454' first='Amelya' last='Boedeker'] as a key piece in midfield, while [player_tooltip player_id='112756' first='Leah' last='Hurley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='112761' first='Logan' last='Reich'] will be scoring treats up top.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>FC Dallas, who have three wins, one loss and three ties, won't have the firepower of forward [player_tooltip player_id='91125' first='Shaylin' last='Taylor'], who's recovering from an injury, but have great talent everywhere on the field. Forwards [player_tooltip player_id='112554' first='Maren' last='Brewster'] and [player_tooltip player_id='148288' first='Lily' last='Stone'] make sure the team's offense continues to score, while [player_tooltip player_id='26956' first='Lauren' last='Alvarez'] and [player_tooltip player_id='145043' first='Addilyn' last='Gonzalez'] pair up extremely well in midfield and [player_tooltip player_id='26978' first='Lena' last='Junior'] brings the energy. Defensively, goalkeeper [player_tooltip player_id='26562' first='Britland' last='Raisey'] has been very solid, while defender [player_tooltip player_id='26907' first='Keira' last='Floyd'] offers great protection in front of her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Real Colorado National G07 vs. Colorado Rapids G07 - Sunday, October 1 - @ Real Colorado Soccer Complex, 01:30</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Real Colorado National have been a machine as of late, having outscored their last three opponents 28-0 in their nearly-perfect campaign of seven wins and one tie. Goalkeeper Kylie Brookfield was scored on only three times in eight league matches and it will take some effort from the Rapids to beat her, especially with defender Emma Fassora in great form. Midfielder Celina Frenz brings the flair in midfield and does an excellent job in getting the ball to the lethal trio of Abby Ballek, Raleigh Greason and Sienna Eckert up top.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":100495,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/02/IMG_1727.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-100495" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rapids, who have five wins and three losses, also have an exceptional goalkeeper in Maisie Creamer. In front of her, Ivy Sobel is a versatile and efficient player, who can be used on either outside back spot. Keira Truofreh, Aubrielle Hillike and Sierra Bennett make for a well-connected and productive midfield trio. Noorah Muzaffar also gives Colorado some offensive power from her attacking midfielder position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->