Texas HS Girls: District Champions – Stratford

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The playoffs are knocking on the door in the University Interscholastic League (UIL) soccer season as the postseason matches are set to start in just about two weeks, starting the final portion of the season for teams around the Lone Star State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Regular season play is still underway in Texas, but several districts in the Lone Star State have already crowned their champions, who will enter the postseason full of confidence after strong performances against their regional rivals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're taking the slow week of Spring Break to feature some of the teams that triumphed in their districts in the Houston area:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stratford</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Spartans continued to be a force in District 17, securing the title for a third straight season. Stratford strongly dominated the competition in the area, getting to the top of the standings with 13 wins and one tie - they scored 93 goals (to an average of 6.6 per game) and allowed only three. Currently holding an 18-1-4 win record for the season, the Spartans found strong competition in second-placed Memorial, getting a 1-0 win and a 0-0 tie, but cruised against third-placed Cy-Fair (5-1 and 6-0) and fourth-placed Northbrook (6-2 and 8-0).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/C4RzxBZNJQN/?img_index=9","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/C4RzxBZNJQN/?img_index=9 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players:</strong></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":"A freshman, Lawless immediately became a key piece for Stratford and made their defense even stronger. Forming the team's center back duo with junior Hannah Ryan, she was consistent during the entire season and helped her team produce 12 clean sheets in 14 district matches. A physical player, Lawless is great at using her athleticism to protect the team's penalty box but is also very successful when defending in space. The defender also has good quality on the ball, connecting efficient passes out of the back, and can be a threat in the air in attacking set pieces.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f0dc63d07b0"} /--> <!-- 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_player":["148466"],"_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":"Brendel is another freshman who not only earned a spot in Stratford's starting lineup, but also managed to become massively important for the team. A very intelligent and well-rounded player, she can help in a lot of different ways and, by watching the Spartans twice this season, I've seen her play four different positions - defensive midfielder, right back, left back and center back. Brendel is very good at winning duels and has the energy to cover a lot of ground regardless of her position. She's also a very good passer and has the confidence to make shifts and attempt long through balls from the middle.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f0dc63d080a"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/AudreyBrendel09/status/1766297881965662607?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/AudreyBrendel09/status/1766297881965662607?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- 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":"A sophomore, Benton has combined with senior Lizzie Emerson to give Stratford a lot of energy and talent in the central area of the field. The double pivot of the two is instrumental for what the Spartans do on the field as their reliable and efficient game gives the team a structure to remain organized. Benton is very active defensively but, as a strong box-to-box player, also contributes offensively. The midfielder is an excellent passer and never shies away from attempting risky through balls that often find attackers in good positions to score. She also finishes well from outside the penalty box and can be a threat in set pieces.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f0dc63d0852"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1749982592420442437?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/1749982592420442437?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":"Mary Paul","_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":"5'2u0022","_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":"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":"Paul is the main creative force in the Spartans' squad and most of the team's offensive plays go through her. A very skilled player who can pass, dribble and finish with either foot, the midfielder is very quick in her mind, seeing what's going to happen on the field before everyone else. Because of her quality on the ball and vision, Paul is very dangerous around and inside the penalty box, but she's also very good when drifting to wider positions to find diagonal passes. A good finisher, she also creates chances in set pieces.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f0dc63d08e3"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":160186,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/01/IMG_9384.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-160186" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cy-Fair vs. Stratford</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["54870"],"_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":"Weber is a key cog in Stratford's offensive system and one of the team's hardest-working players. A very fast and intelligent player, she can be used as a striker, using her movement off the ball and positioning to generate chances, or a little bit deeper, splitting the chance-creating duties with Paul. She's very direct with the ball around the penalty box, always trying to find the shortest route to the goal with her runs, and often draws fouls in dangerous spots. A lethal finisher, she also operates well as a facilitator, often getting assists or the pass that disorganizes opposing backlines.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f0dc63d092d"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":160185,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/01/IMG_9379.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-160185" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cy-Fair vs. Stratford</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->