Stars of Texas Series: Part II

This five part series of the young Stars of Texas continues with the second part, and these seven players are bursting on to the girls soccer scene in the Lone Star state.   Maddie Akers, Outside Defender, Wylie East, Class of 2026   The Wylie East sophomore and Sting Black ECNL-RL player just completed her first season of high school varsity soccer. Considering the level of play, with Wylie East being one of the top 6A teams in the state of Texas, Akers gained a lot of experience against many Division I commits on the roster. This improved the outside back's game quite a bit, as she has increased her pace of play by using her first touch, allowing her to play faster. She is shooting the ball with more power and more consistency, putting the ball on frame, but also in good spots. As a smaller outside back, she had to learn to play even more physically, and she's done that. She's more tuned into her creativity, expressing herself more when using space and making runs off the ball.   [player_tooltip player_id='166221' first='Taryn' last='Hess'], Defender, Byron Nelson, Class of 2025   Hess can play as a left outside defender or play centrally. She is a standout at Byron Nelson High, and the 2025 grad plays club at DKSC. What she does really well from her wide position is to make attacking runs, using her awareness on the pitch and her vision to get into good positions. She is excellent defensively whether it be 1v1 or recovering, she wins 50/50 balls and she makes great slide tackles as well. She's getting better every day technically, making strides in controlling the ball out of the air. Hess is improving with making quicker decisions. She is a fast, competitive and dedicated player. She's vocal, but she remains composed and coachable.   [player_tooltip player_id='169167' first='Lily' last='Owen'], Attacking Midfielder/Forward, Tomball Memorial, Class of 2025   Owen features as a No. 10 or a No. 11. The Tomball Memorial junior plays club with Challenge SC 2007 ECRL team. She was a key scorer and distributor for her high school during the season, and is looking to continue to improve her shot from distance, and get even better at distributing the ball throughout the midfield. She continues to improve technically, and beyond the physical attributes, she remains driven, confident and is a motivating source for her teammates. She's also challenging herself to learn the left back position.   [player_tooltip player_id='148431' first='Ava' last='Sexton'], Central Defender/Striker, Southlake Carroll, Class of 2027   Sexton plays on one of the top high school teams in the country, gaining immense experience this past season as a freshman. She also plays high-level club with Sting Royal 09's ECNL team. Sexton just moved to Sting, and just moved to center back, so it's been an adjustment, but one she is making well. She is still a very talented center forward if needed to play up top, but the transition should be a smooth one because she is able to anticipate an attacker's movements and stop them before they become a threat. She remains confident and calm under pressure, and also uses her height (5'10") and her great speed to her advantage. As she improves, watch out because she is already getting better at winning balls in the air. Pair this with a high work rate, strong work ethic, a growing leadership ability, relentlessness, resiliency and a great attitude, she's only going to keep improving. She was also recently selected to participate in the Continental Tire ECNL National Selection Game in Phoenix this upcoming Friday.   [player_tooltip player_id='84677' first='Sohana' last='Spencer'], Forward, Summercreek, Class of 2025   Spencer is a junior standout at Summercreek High and the HTX club player is already committed to the University of Florida. She was a key threat for her high school team this winter as she helped create and finish many scoring opportunities. Spencer is very technically gifted and is rapidly improving in terms of her touch while moving at speed, being strong with both feet and being a very consistent player. She can play as a striker or wide forward, and is fast, athletic and very skilled on the ball. Spencer is also very tenacious, loves to learn and improve, looks to make an impact and loves being coached.   [player_tooltip player_id='165003' first='Alexa' last='Swartz'], Central Defender, Burleson Centennial, Class of 2027   Swartz plays as a center back and continues to improve. Her physical skills improved as she focused on the mental aspect of the game. She worked even harder, she strove for consistency and improvement from game-to-game. She is heavily focused on supporting her teammates and elevating them as well. She's also getting much better, technically speaking. Swartz is a fast and aggressive player, but continues to build into a very well-rounded player.   [player_tooltip player_id='112642' first='Taylor' last='West'], Forward, Plano West, Class of 2027   West is a Plano West freshman and a 2009 ECNL player with DKSC. She plays forward, and can play as a striker or a wide forward. She takes the pitch with the intent of being a difference maker. She uses her technical skills and ability to drive the ball at the opponent and she's quite good at holding up play and playing the ball to a teammate running off of her. She moves off the ball very well, putting pressure on the backline and she opens up spaces for her teammates to take advantage of. She works hard, she is always putting defenders under pressure and helping her and her team capitalize on mistakes. West is becoming more explosive and is going to get even more dangerous.

This five part series of the young Stars of Texas continues with the second part, and these seven players are bursting on to the girls soccer scene in the Lone Star state.