Texas HS Girls: Tomball Memorial vs. Klein

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>District play is underway in the University Interscholastic League (UIL) high school soccer season in Texas and for the next two months 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 Tuesday, February 6, we were in Tomball, following the District 16 matchup between the Tomball Memorial Wildcats and the Klein Lady Bearcats.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/02/texas-hs-girls-tomball-memorial-vs-klein-photos/">Tomball Memorial vs. Klein - Photos</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playing on the road, Klein executed their game plan to perfection, keeping the hosts scoreless and scoring late in the first half with sophomore Olivia Knight to secure a huge 1-0 win and take down the last undefeated team in the District.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1755062679562035667?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/1755062679562035667?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These players had remarkable performances in the match:</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":"Madelyn Shipley","_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":"100","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Klein","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Challenge SC","_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 junior goalkeeper was a stud for Klein between the posts, playing a big role in the team's victory with some impressive saves and transmitting a lot of confidence to her teammates. Shipley was demanded from start to finish as Tomball Memorial had more of the ball and fired more shots on target and she responded well, making some big stops in finishes from inside the penalty box, including one from [player_tooltip player_id='26554' first='Brianna' last='Carrigan'] that hit the post after she got a hand on it, and being very reliable in long-distance attempts. The goalkeeper was always alert and every time she had to leave her line to collect a long pass she did it with impeccable timing. Shipley also communicated extremely well, keeping the defenders engaged.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c315191a113"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1755044042935550112?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/1755044042935550112?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":"Gabrielle Halliburton","_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":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Klein","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Challenge SC","_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 Klein's captains, Halliburton helped the Lady Bearkats hold Tomball Memorial scoreless for just the second time in the season with a solid display on the backline. The center back was very active during most of the match, winning duels in the middle and intercepting what could become dangerous passes behind the team's backline - she was also very smart with her positioning, stepping up to cover her teammates on multiple occasions. Halliburton's defense inside the penalty box was invaluable for Klein as she helped her team block shots and clear crosses, especially during the second half, when the Wildcats attempted to send long balls into it, sustaining their opponents' pressure.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c315191a1b1"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1755055658729095536?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/1755055658729095536?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["121581"],"_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 solid match in front of Klein's backline, playing with great energy on both sides of the ball. Delatorre worked hard on defense in her central midfielder and won several duels in the middle. Because of the high quality of Tomball Memorial's midfielders, she couldn't always win the ball back, but when she didn't, she was able to put pressure and put them back or to wider positions, where they would be less of a threat. Delatorre also did a good job with the ball as, although much of her team's game plan was to get long balls to Olivia Knight up top, she knew when to slow things down and keep possession with her solid passing.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c315191a20f"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":161709,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/02/IMG_0415.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-161709" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tomball Memorial vs. Klein</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":"Kaylee Cruzco","_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":"Klein","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Challenge SC","_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":"Cruzco's high-energy game on midfield was critical for Klein's game plan to be successful as she was very present on both sides of the ball. Playing as more of an attacking midfielder, the junior played a major role in the team's transition-based offense, quickly sprinting upfield to give forward Olivia Knight an option to make combination plays through the middle. Cruzco also ran a lot defensively, at times pressuring Tomball Memorial's defenders and defensive midfielders and on other occasions dropping back and helping the team defend on a lower block.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c315191a290"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":161704,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/02/IMG_0392.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-161704" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tomball Memorial vs. Klein</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["158987"],"_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":"Much of Klein's offense relied on Knight's ability to make things happen in transition and she didn't disappoint, scoring the team's game-winning goal with a nice finish from inside the penalty box. The sophomore forward was fed with long balls for most of the match and was excellent at getting on the end of them and creating chances, even when defended by multiple Tomball Memorial players. Knight trusted her ability to beat defenders with her pace on some occasions and used her holdup play to keep the ball while her teammates sprinted upfield at other moments of the match. She was very active at the end of the second half and had a couple of other dangerous plays before she scored the game-winning goal.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c315191a2e4"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":161714,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/02/IMG_0451.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-161714" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tomball Memorial vs. Klein</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":"Calla Reef","_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":"Tomball Memorial","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Challenge SC","_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":"An attacking player with her club team Challenge SC, Reef has been playing left back for Tomball Memorial in her freshman season and she had a solid match against Klein. She offered a lot offensively, using her dribbling ability to create space and playing aggressively when in possession. Reef was very good at bringing the ball inside from the left to generate space for her teammates out wide and feeding them with inch-perfect passes. She also did a solid job defensively, playing hard and winning duels. The freshman was limping a little bit in the second half and didn't push forward as she did in the first half, but was dangerous on most of the occasions she did it.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c315191a362"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1755043499756425658?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/1755043499756425658?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["26454"],"_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":"Another freshman, Boedecker was probably Tomball Memorial's most consistent player throughout the match. She was very influential from her defensive midfielder position, making a big impact on both sides of the ball. Boedecker did a very good job of shielding her team's backline when Klein attempted to create in a more methodical way and she was excellent at turning defense into offense by winning the ball back and finding teammates in more advanced positions. Her passing was precise all night and she was a big part of Tomball Memorial's possession-heavy style, helping the team circulate the ball with great intelligence.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c315191a3b1"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":161733,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/02/IMG_0446.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-161733" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tomball Memorial vs. Klein</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["26554"],"_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":"A senior, Carrigan was possibly Tomball Memorial's most dangerous player in the match. She got very close to scoring in the first half with a one-time finish inside the penalty box, but Klein's goalkeeper Madelyn Shipley got a hand on it and deflected her shot to the post. After playing as more of a striker in the first half, Carrigan was more involved in the second half and took over some of the team's playmaking duties by dropping deeper and getting on the ball to help the Wildcats as they tried to beat Klein's strong defense. She also created some chances off of set pieces, sending corner kicks and free kicks into the penalty box.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c315191a3fb"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1755060908319965645?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/1755060908319965645?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->