ECNL Boys TX: Rise SC 07 vs. Solar SC Academy 07
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After a few months of break during the winter, the ECNL Boys Texas League is back in action with its spring season and teams from the Lone Star State and neighbor state Oklahoma are already back at it, battling every…
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Continue ReadingAfter a few months of break during the winter, the ECNL Boys Texas League is back in action with its spring season and teams from the Lone Star State and neighbor state Oklahoma are already back at it, battling every weekend on the field.
Prep Soccer Texas will pick up where it left off before the break and will continue covering matches of the League, bringing photos and analysis for each of them.
On Saturday, I was at South Campus, in Houston, where Rise SC B07 and Solar SC Academy B07 faced each other.
Rise SC 1 – 1 Solar SC Academy
Playing at home, Rise were awarded a penalty kick after a handball was called inside the box against Solar and Aldrin Mariaca Soto converted it to give them the lead. Solar dominated possession for most of the time and got their equalizer when Benjamin Mulrooney Benjamin Mulrooney D TX got his head into a corner kick cross at the back post to score.
After the match, Rise have four wins, 11 losses and two ties. Solar are better positioned in the standings, with wins, ten wins, three losses and five ties.
Top Performers
With Solar trailing and looking for goals for most of the time, Guandique had an eventful match, being called to action quite often. The goalkeeper was solid in his actions, dealing well with shots from distance and closer-range finishes that went to goal. He also displayed great reflexes to make saves in a couple of point-blank headers in the second half. Guandique had a brief moment of hesitation to get off his position and deal with crosses, but quickly adjusted and regained his confidence.
Stubbs played as a left-sided center back for Rise and was one of the points of strength of their backline. He read the game well and was always in the right spot to make spots and win the ball back. A very athletic and mobile defender, Stubbs had no issue when he had to step and defend away from the penalty box or when he needed to track back and cover his teammates. Stubbs also did a good job in possession, helping initiate the team’s buildup with good passes and some unexpected runs through the middle.
Gabriel Moore
Gabriel Moore
Moore’s hard work in midfield was key for Rise and it helped them match Solar’s intensity in the central area of the field, making it difficult for them to create chances through the middle. Playing as a defensive midfielder, he was very active, used his frame to win duels and played hard when he had to. Moore was also an important outlet for Rise, connecting good passes and igniting some of the team’s transition plays with long balls in behind Solar’s backline. He wasn’t quick enough on the ball on a few occasions and ended up being dispossessed, but immediately stepped up to put pressure on opponents, winning it back most of the time.
Aldrin Mariaca Soto
Aldrin Mariaca Soto
Soto did a very good job converting the penalty kick that gave Rise the lead, showing calm and composure on the ball to send Solar’s goalkeeper the wrong way. That was his best moment in the first half as their opponents controlled possession and didn’t allow him much space to play. He came off the bench during the second half with more energy, operating as an outlet for his team’s transition plage ball inside to finish or feed his teammates.
Edgar Chavelas
Edgar Chavelas
Chavelas formed a solid center back duo with Michael Bukauskas as the two complemented each other well and helped their team control Rise for most of the match. More mobile than his physical center back partner, he thrived for his positioning, making smart interceptions and stopping passes that targeted the space behind him. With Solar trailing for a long period, he got on the ball a lot and contributed to the team’s buildup. A lefty, Chavelas made some interesting shifts and connected well with left back Santos Martinez.
Faris had a very active game playing in front of Solar’s backline and getting heavily involved on both sides of the ball. His physical presence in midfield helped the team win duels and control the game. Solar looked for Faris a lot when they had possession and he operated as a deep-lying playmaker for them, making shifts and finding passes through Rise’s defense. The left-footed midfielder also displayed great quality in set pieces, getting the assist in the team’s goal from a corner kick and generating other chances with precise crosses.
Osatohamwen Enabulele
Osatohamwen Enabulele
Enabulele brought quality, intensity and versatility to Solar’s game, playing multiple roles for the team at a high level. He started the match in the No. 8 role, dropping deep to get the ball from the center backs and support the team’s buildup. As the match developed, he kept moving forward, playing a more active role in the team’s offense. Because of his long legs and athleticism, Enabulele was very dangerous with his runs on and off the ball through the middle. He also showed great positioning inside the penalty box and got his head on two crosses, forcing Rise’s goalkeeper to make great stops in close-range finishes.
Mulrooney was Solar’s most dangerous player during the entire match with his excellent movement off the ball and his finishing ability. He played as a striker for them, but didn’t get limited to the penalty box, dropping back to get involved in plays and drifting wide to take advantage of the space vacated there. Despite not being very tall, Mulrooney was excellent with his positioning inside the penalty box, finding space behind defenders, scoring off of a header and sending another one into the post. He used both feet well to dribble and finish and was a constant threat up top. Mulrooney left the match injured in the second half and his team missed his presence as they tried to score a game-winning goal.