I-10 Shootout: Five Center Backs to Watch
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One of the most traditional and competitive preseason High School Girls’ soccer tournaments in Texas, the I-10 Shootout will be held this week in the Houston area, providing teams with a unique opportunity to fine-tune their games ahead of the…
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Continue ReadingOne of the most traditional and competitive preseason High School Girls’ soccer tournaments in Texas, the I-10 Shootout will be held this week in the Houston area, providing teams with a unique opportunity to fine-tune their games ahead of the start of the regular season.
Held from Thursday to Saturday, the three-day event will reunite as many as 64 teams from Houston and beyond. They will compete in eight brackets, hosted by high school programs in the ultra-competitive Katy ISD.
Prep Soccer will be following the action later in the week, but, between now and then, let’s take a look at some of the most promising prospects that will be on the field. Here are some of the best center backs of the tournament.
Samantha DeCuir Samantha DeCuir D St Agnes Academy | 2026 TX
Samantha DeCuir Samantha DeCuir D St Agnes Academy | 2026 TX
DeCuir is set to anchor the backline of her team St. Agnes Academy this season. An extremely physical center back, she uses her size and athleticism to dominate the area inside and around the penalty box and stop plays through the middle. Despite being very big, she’s also quick and does a very good job when she needs to step up and cover her teammates. DeCuir is solid in possession, being able to break lines with her passing, and even better in the air, playing a big role in offensive and defensive set pieces for the team.
Cadence Mason
Cadence Mason
A new face with Fulshear this season, Mason immediately became a key piece in the team’s playing system. Combining excellent and physical tools, she looks poised to have a strong year playing at the heart of the Chargers’ backline. Mason is excellent with her positioning and is patient enough to wait for the right moment to attempt her tackles, having an extremely high success rate. Also strong in the air, the center back is probably even more impressive when on the ball. A lefty, she’s very skilled and calm on the ball, breaking pressure with her dribbling and passing and often initiating the team’s buildup.
Olivia Orellana
Olivia Orellana
Capable of playing in the backline or to shield it as a defensive midfielder, Orellana is a big part of Seven Lakes’ core. She’s very strong defensively and knows how to make her presence felt in the center of the field, winning duels and using her size to intercept long passes. The junior is also a very solid passer, who can find good solutions even when under pressure and connect with teammates in good spots. Orellana can also be an offensive weapon for the Spartans, being an aerial threat in dead-ball situations and finishing extremely well from outside the penalty box.
Brooke Martin
Brooke Martin
After immediately jumping into Bridgeland’s starting lineup as a freshman, Martin will have an even bigger role with the team this season. Extremely mature and disciplined, she leads the team’s backline with her smart positioning and her ability to step up and stop plays. She finds success in most of her defensive actions because of her ability to read the game, but she won’t shy away from using her physical tools if she needs to. A capable passer, Martin has also been refining her offensive game and can be a threat by taking set pieces or getting on the end of them with her headers.
One of the most technical defenders in the region, Aras plays at the heart of Clements’ backline. Because she reads the game so well, she covers a lot of ground around the penalty box, stepping up to stop plays and moving to wider positions to cover the fullbacks. Aras is also strong in the air and helps her team clear crosses and long passes. A very technical player, she has a great deal of quality and power in her right leg, standing out offensively with her passing and her ability to take corner kicks and free kicks and racking up dozens of assists.