Texas HS Girls: Stratford vs. Memorial

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>District play is underway 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 be playing their closest rivals in a contest 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 Friday, February 9, we were in Houston, attending the big District 17 rivalry match between the Stratford Spartans and the Memorial Mustangs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/02/texas-hs-girls-stratford-vs-memorial-photos/">Stratford vs. Memorial: Photos</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was an intense match, with both teams competing hard for the ball and pushing forward looking to score. The defenses prevailed for the most part, but with two minutes to play on the clock, Stratford junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='108733' first='Allison' last='Goodwin'] got in behind Memorial's backline and beat junior goalkeeper Madison Ramke with a soft touch to score the game-winning goal for the home team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1756149597074845949?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/1756149597074845949?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_player":["148753"],"_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 freshman center back anchored Stratford's backline playing with impressive solidness on the right side. The Spartans made changes in every other piece of their defense, with some players featuring in multiple positions, and Lawless was the only one to keep her spot from start to finish. She did a very good job of protecting her area of the field, both winning individual duels and stepping up to cover her teammates when they were beaten. The center back was also very calm and efficient in possession, 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-65c704d0bb1e0"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":162212,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/02/IMG_0522.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-162212" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Stratford vs Memorial</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":"Lizzie Emerson","_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":"Stratford","_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 senior midfielder was very involved with the team's play on both sides of the ball in her central midfielder position. Emerson did a very good job defensively, playing with energy and working hard to win duels and dismantle Memorial's offensive attempts. She got on the ball a lot and displayed great quality to help Stratford create chances. Emerson was very intelligent with her ball distribution, made some smart runs off the ball to give options to her teammates and attempted a couple of 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-65c704d0bb2b3"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":162220,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/02/IMG_0547.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-162220" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Stratford vs Memorial</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["155725"],"_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 sophomore had another great match, combining very well with Emerson in the center of the field. Benton covered a lot of ground defensively, winning duels in the middle and stepping up to make stops on both sides too. She was very active with the ball too, trying to take her team forward with her passing. Benton displayed great vision to identify vulnerable spots on Memorial's defense and try to feed Stratford's wingers with long balls over the top of the backline.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c704d0bb30c"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":162237,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/02/IMG_0632.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-162237" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Stratford vs Memorial</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["108733"],"_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":"Goodwin scored Stratford's game-winning goal and was rewarded for her effort on the field. Playing mostly on the right side of the team's attack, she ran a lot and was very tired and dealing with an injury, but still found the energy to make the run that decided the match - the forward timed her move extremely well and did a great job of picking up a simpler, yet efficient solution to put the ball in the back of the net. Goodwin was very active in the second half and was creating all sorts of problems for Memorial's backline with her runs on the right - she took the ball to the end line on some occasions and brought it inside on others.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c704d0bb362"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":162215,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/02/IMG_0527.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-162215" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Stratford vs Memorial</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["140588"],"_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 alongside Goodwin up top for Stratford, Valentine also played with great energy. She played on the left, the right and the center and never stopped running. Stratford insisted on sending long balls behind the backline for her and the winger never gave up, making things happen even when defended by multiple Memorial players on some occasions. Even when the passes were too long, she kept pushing and putting pressure on defenders, winning possession and earning thrown-ins on some occasions.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c704d0bb3b3"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1756145088680354302?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/1756145088680354302?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["26590"],"_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":"Chaffin led Memorial's backline and they managed to keep Stratford's potent offense scoreless for 77 minutes - junior center back Katherine Prewett and senior midfielder Madeline Besetsny also deserve a lot of credit for it. She played hard in the middle of the team's backline and won several duels, keeping Stratford's attackers away from the penalty box. Chaffin was also very strong in the air, especially in the second half, when the Spartans attempted to create chances out of corner kicks and free kicks. The senior also took some free kicks into the opponent's penalty box and was in charge of goal kicks.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c704d0bb406"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":162227,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/02/IMG_0581.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-162227" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Stratford vs Memorial</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":"Molly Oldham","_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":"Memorial","_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":"Oldham kept things tight for Memorial at left back while she was on the field - she was subbed off halfway into the second half because of an injury. The senior defender kept Stratford's forward [player_tooltip player_id='108733' first='Allison' last='Goodwin'] under control for most of the time, playing with solidness on defense. She was also very important in possession, driving the ball forward and combining well with winger [player_tooltip player_id='112616' first='Bella' last='Youssef']. Oldham also had great service in set pieces and her absence was felt at the end.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c704d0bb49a"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1756134304134950933?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/1756134304134950933?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":"Andie Patterson","_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":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Memorial","_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":"Patterson entered the match during the first half and never returned to the bench. She played with great energy in midfield and her presence gave the Mustangs some much-needed offensive spark. Very technical and creative on the ball, she didn't shy away from trying to make plays and was great with her passing, often connecting one-touch passes, flicks and backheel moves. Patterson played with a lot of flair and brought something different to the field, making of Memorial more unpredictable on offense.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c704d0bb524"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":162221,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/02/IMG_0550.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-162221" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Stratford vs Memorial</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->