Texas HS Boys: Cinco Ranch vs. Seven Lakes

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>District play is reaching its halfway point in the University Interscholastic League (UIL) high school soccer season in Texas and for the next few weeks, teams around the Lone Star State will make a final push as they continue to battle for a spot in the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Soccer will be following several of the matches taking place in the Houston area and reporting on them, highlighting the Top Performers and sharing photos of the encounters. On Tuesday, February 13, we were in Katy, watching the match that reunited the only two teams that remained undefeated in District 19 after seven matches, the Cinco Ranch Cougars and the state champions Seven Lakes Spartans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/02/texas-hs-boys-cinco-ranch-vs-seven-lakes-photos/">Cinco Ranch vs. Seven Lakes - Photos</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The winners of the match would end the first round of district play alone at the top of the standings and, although playing on the road, the Spartans had a dominant first-half performance to produce a 4-0 lead that they were able to maintain until the final whistle - seniors Aidan Morrison, [player_tooltip player_id='16008' first='Daniel' last='Ejerenwa'] (2) and Sammy Harpole scored for the reigning state champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1757602976401682598?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/grtorres/status/1757602976401682598?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These players were among the top performers on the field:</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":"Jack Robertson","_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":"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":"","_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 center back formed a solid partnership with junior [player_tooltip player_id='16578' first='Noah' last='Peterson'] as the two did a very good job of shutting down most of Cinco Ranch's attempts through the middle. Robertson used his physicality to win duels in the center of the field and was also very solid in the air, when defending set pieces and dealing with long passes that targeted the space behind him. With Seven Lakes heavily dominating possession, Robertson was on the ball a lot and displayed good quality. At the start of the game, when Cinco Ranch dropped deep and didn't let the Spartans play around the penalty box, he found some good solutions to create space with switches, through balls and even some runs through the middle.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cc4ad2a8121"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1757581322090938581","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/grtorres/status/1757581322090938581 </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":"[player_tooltip player_id='16041' first='Diego' last='Flamenco']","_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":"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":"Flamenco's versatility was of great help to Seven Lakes in a match in which the team couldn't count on some starters as he played in four different positions - right winger, left winger, left back and central midfielder. A very technical and dynamic player, he got the job done in each of them, doing the little things right and connecting good passes with his skilled left foot. The senior also displayed good intensity stepping up to press Cinco Ranch's defenders and his action forced them to play long and generated some turnovers.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cc4ad2a820b"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":162883,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/02/IMG_1570.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-162883" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cinco Ranch vs. Seven Lakes</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":"Aidan Morrison","_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":"6'2u0022","_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":"Houston Dynamo","_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":"Seven Lakes' midfield maestro, Morrison spent most of the match playing in a deeper position than he typically does, as the team's holding midfielder. He got on the ball a lot and worked very well with it, connecting the vast majority of his passes and being patient at the start of the match, when the Spartans tried to break Cinco Ranch's strong defense, helping circulate the ball. Morrison had a key role in the team's strong first half, hitting an inch-perfect shot from outside the penalty box that resulted in Seven Lakes' first goal and changed the pace of the game. His game grew even further after that, when the Cougars had to push forward and allowed more space in midfield, and he also created some chances in dead-ball situations.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cc4ad2a82e8"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":162877,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/02/IMG_1536.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-162877" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cinco Ranch vs. Seven Lakes</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- 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":"Although he didn't find the back of the net, Seven Lakes' all-time leading goalscorer had a major role in the team's victory, assisting Ejerenwa in both of his goals. Koc fluctuated between midfield and attack and kept moving without the ball to find space, but was well defended by Cinco Ranch, which at times double-teamed him, and had most of his chances in set pieces - hitting the crossbar in one of them and firing another one right next to the post - and long-distance shots. The junior was very active in the team's high press and won possession a couple of times in dangerous areas of the field. Koc kept trying to score until he left the game because of pain in his ankle and he drew several free kicks around the penalty box.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cc4ad2a836f"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1757594334919025070/","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/grtorres/status/1757594334919025070/ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- 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":"The physical winger had a great night, scoring twice and being a tough matchup to Cinco Ranch's defenders. With Seven Lakes looking to win the ball in the attacking half in the attacking half and hurt the Cougars with quick transition plays, Ejerenwa was the player they looked to when they regained possession because of his pace and athleticism and the left winger didn't disappoint, scoring his first goal in a play like that. In the second goal, he showed great presence inside the penalty box, getting there to finish a chance created by Koc on the right. Ejerenwa ended the match playing as a striker and continued to cause problems for his opponents.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cc4ad2a83eb"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":162880,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/02/IMG_1556.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-162880" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cinco Ranch vs. Seven Lakes</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":"Ronan Ochsner","_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":"Cinco Ranch","_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 Cougars had major struggles to deal with Seven Lakes' high press, turning the ball over and playing long for most of the first half. Ochsner was the team's midfielder who best adjusted to it, moving intelligently without the ball to offer an alternative for his defenders to play short. The senior also found some space to operate in the attacking third and fed the team's wingers with some dangerous through balls in the second half. Defensively, Ochsner covered a lot of ground and had some success limiting Seven Lakes' offensive linchpin Koc.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cc4ad2a86e5"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":162885,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/02/IMG_1577.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-162885" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cinco Ranch vs. Seven Lakes</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":"Andres Riera","_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":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Cinco Ranch","_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":"Playing of the left side of Cinco Ranch's attack, the junior winger was the team's most dangerous player against Seven Lakes. Riera managed to get on the end of long passes down the left flank and found space to make plays in behind the Spartans' backline, sending a couple of dangerous crosses into the penalty box and earning corner kicks. He also brought the ball inside to finish on some occasions, but couldn't get his shots on frame. Riera's level dropped a bit near the end of the match, but he still managed to draw some free kicks around the penalty box.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cc4ad2a8833"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":162894,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/02/IMG_1608.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-162894" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cinco Ranch vs. Seven Lakes</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->