Fantastic Texas Freshmen – Vol. 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high school soccer season is underway in the state of Texas and teams from all over the Lone Star State are currently battling in district play with the goal of advancing to the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Soccer has been following the action in the Houston area, covering multiple matches a week and reporting on them with photo galleries and player reports.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're also paying special attention to the new faces emerging in the region and will periodically list some of the most promising freshmen we've spotted on the field while covering the HS season. Here's the second set of players:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"Layla Medrano","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_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":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Fulshear","_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":"Medrano is starting to earn her space with Fulshear, playing primarily as a left back for them, but she can also be used in the center of the backline or further ahead in midfield. She has good defensive instincts and, although not very tall or physical, is an efficient defender, who plays with a lot of determination and knows how to dispossess opponents, even if they're more athletic than her. Medrano is also very quick to read the game and make anticipations, displaying a very complete defensive game. She has good quality on the ball going forward too, connecting good passes out of the back and firing dangerous shots 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-65c2b68dd7269"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/21453404/65b0b93706611505188737bf' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c2b68dd7357"} /--> <!-- 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":"[player_tooltip player_id='229538' first='Mia' last='Imperial']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_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":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Elkins","_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":"The backline is one of the main strengths of Elkins this season and the presence of Imperial on the right side has made it even more solid. She's very strong defensively, having a good success rate in 1v1 duels and handling skilled wingers with her steady and efficient game. Imperial is not a flashy player, but is incredibly effective in what she does, especially on the defensive side of the game, and quietly gets the job done. She doesn't push forward too often and is better equipped to help her team build the game from a more central position than overlapping out wide.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c2b68dd7418"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":159075,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/01/IMG_8147.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-159075" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">St. Agnes Academy vs. Elkins</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["152232"],"_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":"James is one of a handful of talented freshmen who emerged at Au0026amp;M Consolidated this season. She's been splitting time between their varsity and junior varsity teams, proving to be an impact player on the former and dominating on the latter. James is at her best when playing out wide on the left, be it as a midfielder or a winger. She's capable of beating opponents with her pace and dribbling, also shielding the ball very well, but also likes to come inside to work on combination plays and finish chances. Besides being very technical, James also contributes defensively, tracking back and helping the team defend.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c2b68dd74ac"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":158928,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/01/IMG_7844.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-158928" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A &amp; M Consolidated vs. Clear Lake</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":"[player_tooltip player_id='229540' first='Emmy' last='Munoz']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_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":"Clear Lake","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"HTX","_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":"Munoz has joined Clear Lake this season and has given the team a much-needed option on the attack. A forward with great mobility and quality on the ball, she has a lot to offer offensively to a team that could certainly use a dynamic presence up top. Munoz is a very good dribbler, who uses her quality on the ball and her quickness to create chances for herself and her teammates. Creative and a good finisher, she also works hard off the ball, putting pressure on defenders.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c2b68dd7557"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":158937,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/01/IMG_7866.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-158937" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A &amp; M Consolidated vs. Clear Lake</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["148300"],"_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":"Maalouf has been a perfect fit with Clements, as her playing style matched the team's extremely well in her freshman season. Mostly used on the right wing for the Lady Rangers, she's a forward with the pace and the dribbling skills to beat any defender. She's very aggressive on the ball and has a wide array of moves to get past opponents, which makes of her a very difficult player to defend. Maalouf also likes to come inside and she is a very good finisher. The freshman can also be used in goal if needed, providing good insurance for unexpected situations.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c2b68dd75cd"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/21471807/65bd3903b3c8b210cc786529' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c2b68dd75ef"} /-->