Texas HS Girls Teams to Watch: Ridge Point

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high school soccer season is quickly approaching in the state of Texas with the first district matches set to take place in early January, when teams from all around the Lone Star State will start their attempts to make it to the UIL State Tournament in April.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Houston area has been particularly strong over the last few years and we'll take the week to look into some teams from this region that look poised to have successful seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ridge Point</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers from Missouri City got very close to winning their first state title last season, when they advanced all the way to the State Tournament final and lost to Marcus. Some key players from the team that lost just once in 30 matches graduated, most notably goalkeeper Molly Thompson, defender Georgia Mulholland and midfielders Kara Canetti and Charlotte Richardson, but the Panthers continue to have a strong core that should allow them to make good things again in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/RPHSGirlsSoccer/status/1729344495194357902?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/RPHSGirlsSoccer/status/1729344495194357902?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["89586"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A versatile player who can be used anywhere across the backline, Dedmon offers great tactical flexibility to the Panthers. She spent more time at right back last season, but will likely be deployed more centrally in 2024, forming the center back duo with Allison Wilson. Dedmon reads the game extremely well and is also excellent at analyzing opponents and making choices that will make them uncomfortable against her. She's very quick and physical, which means that the slightest of hesitations gives Dedmon enough room to make a play and win the ball back. She's also a solid player in possession, dribbling the ball forward with intelligent and connecting good passes out of the back.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6588593b15bfd"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/ChopDedmon2/status/1734371417607516369?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/ChopDedmon2/status/1734371417607516369?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Emma Lovell","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Ridge Point","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Albion Hurricanes FC","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Another versatile defensive player, Lovell should be used as a right back this season, but can also play as a center back, as she did during most of the last club season. She's very technical and efficient with her defensive actions, protecting the penalty box and having a high success rate with her tackles and interceptions. Lovell is also an offensive asset with her ability to identify and attack the space in wider positions and her intelligent passing. She's also a very effective penalty kick taker.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6588593b15ca3"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H48PCr8Cs8I","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H48PCr8Cs8I </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["26336"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"An offensive-minded left back, Vaughn makes the field wider for Ridge Point with her ability to get on the ball and make plays near the sidelines. She's very confident in possession and is extremely strong in 1v1 situations, beating opponents off the dribble. A right-footed player on the left, she also makes great use of her passing, bringing the ball inside and opening up numerous possibilities. Vaughn is also solid defensively, using her physical tools to win the ball back and playing hard.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6588593b15cf9"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxBgDEIrfnc","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxBgDEIrfnc </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["26338"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Expect Kelley to be the main chance-creator for the Panthers this season from her attacking midfielder position. She has the freedom to circulate everywhere on the final third and makes great use of it, finding excellent spots to get on the ball and make plays. Kelley is a very technical and confident player, who doesn't hesitate to try to beat opponents off the dribble and she's really good at it. The midfielder is very dangerous from wide positions, where she has more space to make plays, but can also be lethal more centrally because of her finishing skills. Kelley is also very good with set pieces, making great crosses from corner kicks and taking accurate free kicks to goal.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6588593b15d4b"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/laurelkelley06/status/1735877898836312186?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/laurelkelley06/status/1735877898836312186?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Dayo Tennison","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Ridge Point","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Rise SC","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The electric Tennison is a big part of Ridge Point's offense. She can play anywhere on the attacking third and is very dangerous with her movement off the ball. The forward is great at running behind the backline and finding space to get on the ball in wider positions or to finish inside the penalty box. Her pace is a big asset to the team and allows her to create chances with her dribbling. Tennison uses both feet well, times her runs with great efficiency and is excellent at getting on the end of crosses.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6588593b15dc7"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXsGigKpQhI","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXsGigKpQhI </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["140563"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"LeTellier gives Ridge Point a solid and reliable presence inside the penalty box. She is really good at making quick decisions and doesn't need a lot of touches to get into a finishing position, a combination that makes of her a goal-scoring threat. The forward can also work as a facilitator to her teammates, playing with her back to the goal and operating as a hub for combination plays through the middle. LeTellier can also play in a little bit of a deeper role, behind the striker.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6588593b15e13"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wypH4feOKcI","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wypH4feOKcI </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->