ECNL Girls TX: Albion Hurricanes FC 09 vs. Challenge SC 09

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The ECNL Girls League is back to action in the Texas Conference after the conclusion of the high school season in the Lone Star State and teams are back on the field for the spring season, which will lead to the Playoffs in June and the Finals in July.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Soccer Texas is picking up where it left off before the break and will continue covering matches of the League, bringing photos and analysis for each of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Thursday, April 25, I was at the Campbell Road Sports Park, in Houston, where crosstown rivals Albion Hurricanes FC G09 and Challenge SC G09 battled.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/04/ecnl-girls-tx-albion-hurricanes-09-vs-challenge-sc-09-photos/">ECNL Girls TX: Albion Hurricanes FC 09 vs. Challenge SC 09 - Photos</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Albion Hurricanes 4 - 0 Challenge SC</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After Challenge had slight control of the game in the first minutes, Albion settled and scored the first goal with [player_tooltip player_id='112617' first='Brianna' last='Gibson'], who got on the end of a cross by [player_tooltip player_id='165670' first='Carden' last='Allison'] to send the ball into the back of the net. A few minutes later, Gibson was involved again as her shot hit the post and [player_tooltip player_id='112619' first='Nina' last='Piazza'] picked up the rebound to make it 2-0. The hosts scored another one after the halftime break when [player_tooltip player_id='148483' first='Reagan' last='Mermis'] fired a cross shot to conclude a quick transition play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Challenge regrouped during the break and were able to offer more resistance to Albion's attempts in the second half. Still, the hosts got another one after a beautiful combination play through the middle found [player_tooltip player_id='148468' first='Brooke' last='Mansour'], who scored with a powerful left-footed shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Performers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"Albion's offensive efficiency was truly impressive, but their defensive solidness didn't go unnoticed either, with center backs Brendel and [player_tooltip player_id='148753' first='Zoe' last='Lawless'] keeping Challenge scoreless and giving goalkeeper Caroline Malek very little work to do. Playing as a left-sided center back, Brendel was flawless, defending very well in every situation. She was very quick to step up from his position and cover teammates when she had to and also used her body to win duels and shield the ball even against most physical opponents. The defender also did a very good job in possession.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662bc4c34e16a"} /--> <!-- 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":"Sofia Ballesteros","_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":"The Awty International","_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":"Ballesteros was very active in midfield and helped Albion control the game and produce a comfortable win. Tasked mostly with defensive duties, she had to defend some of Challenge's most talented players in the center of the field and did an excellent job with that, keeping them away from the penalty box. A tall and physical player, she used her body well to win the ball and also displayed great positioning to intercept passes. Ballesteros didn't get to the final third very often, but displayed solid passing skills and good vision when she did.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662bc4c34e20e"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":171544,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/IMG_4265.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-171544" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Albion Hurricanes FC G09 vs. Challenge SC G09</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["148468"],"_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 next to Ballesteros in more of a box-to-box role, Mansour displayed tremendous quality to contribute on both sides of the ball. She played with good energy on defense and read the game very well, getting numerous interceptions, but was at her best when she had possession. She made some really impressive plays with her skilled left foot, from dribbling opponents with her first touch to unlocking offensive plays with her precise and intelligent passing. Mansour's vision was excellent during the entire time and she made the right choice with her distribution over and over again, keeping Albion in a consistent offensive rhythm. The midfielder moved off the ball very well too and was in a great spot to finish in the play in which she scored the team's fourth goal.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662bc4c34e25e"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":171565,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/IMG_4315.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-171565" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Albion Hurricanes FC G09 vs. Challenge SC G09</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["112617"],"_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":"Gibson was a constant threat to Challenge and created several chances for Albion. Operating primarily on the left side of the team's attack, she had great success in her dribbling attempts and was very effective when combining with her teammates in quick plays too. Gibson was very intelligent with her movement off the ball, getting to the far post to score the team's first goal with an easy, one-time shot. He also had a decisive participation in the team's second goal, firing a difficult shot from an unlikely location and hitting the post for Piazza to score in the rebound.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662bc4c34e2a6"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":171535,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/IMG_4236.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-171535" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Albion Hurricanes FC G09 vs. Challenge SC G09</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["165670"],"_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 focal point of Albion's offense, Allison did a very good job working with her back to the goal. Challenge had some physical defenders putting pressure on her, but the striker still managed to get to the end of several long passes, using her body extremely well to control the space. Allison was also very quick to decide what to do when the ball got to her, making smart turns on defenders or efficiently holding the ball until a teammate approached. She fired some dangerous shots and was extremely precise and intelligent in the cross that resulted in the team's first goal, drifting to the right and creating space inside the penalty box.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662bc4c34e2ed"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1783662139716014125","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/1783662139716014125 </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":"[player_tooltip player_id='112615' first='Amelia' last='Theut']","_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":"The Woodlands","_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":"Playing in the middle of Challenge's back three, Theut was the team's most consistent defender in a difficult game. She was always very firm in her defensive actions and had success in most of her attempts to win the ball. Theut's positioning was very good too and that helped her to get to the ball first when she had to step to one of the sides to cover her teammates. The center back was also efficient in possession, hitting long and short passes with precision.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662bc4c34e36f"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":171557,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/IMG_4293.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-171557" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Albion Hurricanes FC G09 vs. Challenge SC G09</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["112606"],"_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":"Hernandez was Challenge's most active and productive player in the match. Playing in central midfield, she got on the ball a lot and did a good job of pushing it forward with her ability to dribble in traffic. At times it felt like she was looking for a teammate to combine in the middle and didn't get much help, she still found ways to connect good passes in the final third and fire a few dangerous shots, most of the time in transition plays. Hernandez also covered a lot of ground defensively and played with great intensity without the ball.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662bc4c34e3b8"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":171543,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/IMG_4263.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-171543" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Albion Hurricanes FC G09 vs. Challenge SC G09</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":"[player_tooltip player_id='171665' first='Marjayda' last='Lipsey']","_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":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_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":"After a quiet first half, Lipsey was more active in the second part of the match, providing Challenge with an interesting offensive weapon. A physical and quick player, she had success in some turns and when she made diagonal runs, at times making things happen almost single-handedly. Lipsey was at times defended by multiple players and still managed to keep the ball until a teammate came closer to combine. She didn't have any real goalscoring opportunities during the match, but kept trying and had some good moments in individual plays.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662bc4c34e436"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":171560,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/IMG_4300.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-171560" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Albion Hurricanes FC G09 vs. Challenge SC G09</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->