Texas HS Boys: Seven Lakes vs. Nimitz

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After exciting weeks of preseason, district play is about to start in the University Interscholastic League (UIL) high school season and teams from all around Texas are making their final adjustments ahead of their opening matches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Tuesday, I went to watch the defending Division 6A state champions Seven Lakes Spartans as they played another match in their preparation to defend the title they won last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/01/texas-hs-boys-seven-lakes-vs-nimitz-photos/">Seven Lakes vs. Nimitz - Photo Gallery</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Spartans hosted Houston's Nimitz Cougars in Katy and were dominant, walking away with an emphatic 8-0 victory. Scoring the goals for Seven Lakes were [player_tooltip player_id='56106' first='Kortay' last='Koc'] (4), [player_tooltip player_id='16008' first='Daniel' last='Ejerenwa'], Sean Carlos Rivera, Jake Fleming and Carlos Martinez. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These players had solid performances in the match:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["56106"],"_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":"Having scored four goals, Koc is an easy choice here, but even disregarding his goals, his performance was still excellent. The forward played with great freedom and used it extremely well to create chances and repeatedly generated issues for Nimitz's defense. Seven Lakes' all-time leading goalscorer, Koc circulated everywhere in the attacking half and hurt the Cougars in a variety of ways - he was lethal when running behind defenders, but also had great success dropping deeper to operate as a deep-lying playmaker. Koc was unstoppable when he had the ball, combined well with his teammates and scored two spectacular goals in long-distance shots, capping off a stellar performance.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659e24348de99"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":158702,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/01/IMG_7576.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-158702" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Seven Lakes vs. Nimitz</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["16008"],"_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":"Playing as a left winger, Ejerenwa was a nightmare for Nimitz's backline with his pace and athleticism. The forward had great success beating defenders off the dribble in 1v1 situations, but also made some smart runs off the ball to get on the end of long passes. He was very aggressive and direct in possession and created chances for him and his teammates. Ejerenwa also displayed a good presence in the penalty box, scoring a goal with great opportunism. He also showed a strong commitment to the game plan, tracking back and helping on defense.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659e24348df2c"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":158696,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/01/IMG_7535.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-158696" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Seven Lakes vs. Nimitz</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- 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":"Noah Bosso","_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":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Seven Lakes","_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":"It's not usual to see a defensive midfielder have such a huge impact in a team's 8-0 victory as Bosso did. Although he didn't score or assist in the match, his presence in the center of the field was pivotal to Seven Lakes' dominant performance. A very strong player, the senior brought some much-needed physicality to a midfield that's extremely skilled, but also somewhat light. Bosso registered several tackles and shut down most of Nimitz's attempts to create and also did a very good job on the ball, playing with calm and intelligence in the center of the field.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659e24348e01c"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":158710,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/01/IMG_7617.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-158710" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Seven Lakes vs. Nimitz</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- 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":"Sean Carlos Rivera","_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":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Seven Lakes","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_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":"Rivera formed a strong midfield trio with Bosso and Aidan Morrison and the three dictated the Spartans' pace with excellent passing and creativity on the ball. The senior was very active in possession, creating space with quick moves and connecting well with right back Josh Taylor and right winger Jesus Duque. Rivera did a very good job with his ball distribution and also helped the team put pressure on Nimitz and win the ball back. He scored a beautiful goal with a shot from outside the penalty box.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659e24348e0ef"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":158695,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/01/IMG_7533.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-158695" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Seven Lakes vs. Nimitz</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- 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":"Fernando Lazo","_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":"5'4u0022","_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":"Seven Lakes","_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":"One of the Spartans' captains, Lazo offered a reliable presence on both sides of the ball at the left back position. He played hard on defense when he had to and did a solid job defensively, at times winning physical battles against stronger and taller players. The outside back was also effective in possession, helping the team's buildup and then pushing upfield to combine with Morrison and Ejerenwa in the attacking field. He also sent some dangerous crosses into the penalty box.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659e24348e1bc"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":158694,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/01/IMG_7531.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-158694" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Seven Lakes vs. Nimitz</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- 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":"Rocco Rascon","_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":"null","_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":"Seven Lakes","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_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":"Rascon came off the bench on both halves and brought some interesting energy to a Seven Lakes team that already had the match under control. He was very aggressive in possession, going at defenders and using his pace and good technique to make combination plays and get to the end line. Rascon split time on both wings and also displayed good quality in set pieces.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659e24348e287"} /--> <!-- 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":"Cruz Alvarez","_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":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Nimitz","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_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":"Alvarez and the entire Nimitz defensive system had a tough night against what was probably the strongest offense they will face during the entire season, but things could have been worse if he wasn't there. One of the team's captains, he worked hard and tried his best to stop Seven Lakes' attempts, but at times it seemed like there were way too many players for him to defend. Alvarez was very vocal in organizing the team's defense and split time between defensive midfielder and center back roles. He was also one of the few players in his team who tried to keep the ball when they had it, making some moves in the center of the field.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659e24348e360"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":158711,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/01/IMG_7620.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-158711" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Seven Lakes vs. Nimitz</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- 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":"Manuel Lopez","_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":"5'8u0022","_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":"Nimitz","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Aspire Soccer Club","_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":"Nimitz didn't do much with the ball, but when something happened, Lopez was involved with it. Playing on the right side of the team's midfield line, the left-footed player managed to keep the ball on some occasions and helped the team exchange passes. Lopez also attempted some smart long passes that allowed the team's forwards to explore the space available on the flanks. With Seven Lakes consistently pushing through the left, he was asked to make some heavy defensive work and played with determination.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659e24348e43b"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":158706,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/01/IMG_7590.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-158706" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Seven Lakes vs. Nimitz</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->