Fantastic Texas Freshmen – Vol. 5
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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. Prep Soccer has been following…
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Continue ReadingThe 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.
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.
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. Let’s keep going with our fifth group of players:
Sophia Brackin
Sophia Brackin
Brackin was one of the promising goalkeepers to emerge during the high school season, playing for Lumberton. She’s been splitting time with two seniors, but has been getting significant playing time and continues to develop at a good pace. One of the things that make of Brackin such a promising goalkeeper is her length as, standing at 5’11”, she can cover a huge area between the posts and get to balls not many others would. Also a volleyball player for the Lady Raiders, she’s very calm between the posts and has good reflexes.
A dynamic outside back, St. John has immediately become a big part of her Katy team. Her runs down the right are of her team’s main offensive weapons because of her ability to create chances. St. John is very fast and also extremely aggressive with her dribbling, constantly going at defenders and taking the ball to the end line – she’s also a very efficient crosser. The outside back plays with good energy on the defensive side of the game too, winning most duels in her area and doing a very good of avoiding balls in behind.
Highlights
Vance has been Clements’ starting left back in her freshman season. A player with very interesting physical and technical skills, she’s been extremely important for them, producing on both sides of the game. Vance plays hard on defense and, because of her reading of the game and strong tackles, is very difficult to get by. The outside back has a very strong left leg and is very good when sending long passes upfield and finishing from distance. Vance also makes some smart runs into the penalty box and is very calm to finish chances.
Highlights
Hernandez is one of several talented freshmen who joined Atascocita this season. A player with an incredible motor and even better technical skills, she is very active in midfield for them, participating in the defensive and offensive phases of the game. Hernandez is very quick to dispossess because of her quickness of movement and tremendous ball control and she uses it to create chances with runs through the middle of the field. The freshman is extremely dangerous around and inside the penalty box with her ability to use her vision to assist teammates and her superior finishing skills to score.
Playing on the right side of George Ranch’s offense, Lacombe has been one of the team’s main attacking weapons. With a good pace and excellent dribbling skills, she’s very dangerous in 1v1 situations and is very aggressive with the ball, going at defenders without second thoughts. Lacombe finishes well from mid-range with either foot and is also very precise with her crosses. A physical player, she does a good job of getting on the end of long balls and can also play more centrally if needed.