Texas HS Girls Playoff Match to Watch: Clear Lake vs. Brazoswood

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The playoffs are underway in the University Interscholastic League (UIL) high school soccer season and between now and April 13, the last day of the State Tournament, it's going to be win or go home for the teams fighting for the title in each of the three divisions in Texas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There will be plenty of exciting matches going on around the Lone Star State over the next three weeks and Prep Soccer will preview some of them. Regional quarterfinals are up next, with matches taking place on April 1 and 2, and here's one to watch:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clear Lake vs. Brazoswood - April 2 - 6:00 PM - Freedom Field</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clear Lake</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lady Falcons were second-placed in District 24 with nine wins, two losses and one tie. The team has progressed from the first two rounds of the playoffs with victories over Shadow Creek (3-2) in bi-district and Kingwood (2-1) in the area round. With a season campaign of 14 wins, six losses and three ties, Clear Lake scored 54 goals and conceded 22 in their 23 matches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior Jaelyn Bracamonte is as solid as it gets in goal and senior Olivia Reyna is another excellent option at goalkeeper. In the backline, juniors Ava Hu, at right back, and Alayna Hanlin, at center back, are two of their defensive anchors. Clear Lake's midfield duo formed by junior [player_tooltip player_id='140245' first='Ellie' last='Morgan'] and senior Eden Fuentes is the heart of the team as the two play with energy on defense and have great quality in possession. Forwards Matti Pender (senior) and [player_tooltip player_id='229540' first='Emmy' last='Munoz'] (freshman) are the team's main offensive options, but Clear Lake also has a talented and versatile prospect in sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='89610' first='Lauren' last='Barrera'], who can play on defense or in the attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/LakeLadySoccer/status/1773529968401649905?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/LakeLadySoccer/status/1773529968401649905?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brazoswood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Buccaneers ranked right below Clear Lake in District 24, finishing third with six wins, four losses and two ties. They advanced from their first two rounds of the playoffs by downing Dawson 3-1 in bi-district and prevailing over West Brook 2-1 in overtime in the area round. Brazoswood's offense has produced 48 goals and their defense has allowed 35, leading the team to a season record of nine wins, eight losses and four ties.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore goalkeeper [player_tooltip player_id='169214' first='Callie' last='Gilliam'] is as good as anyone in the region and is one of the team's strengths. Sophomore outside backs Yesenia Sanchez and Olivia Mitchell have the energy to cover ground and offer good offensive support in attack. Junior McKinley Blank is a very physical player and uses her presence to dominate the game in midfield alongside senior Maya Funk. Junior Olivia Arauz is one of the team's main chance creators and connects well with fellow junior Giselle Moya and senior Ginne Saavedra up top.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/LadyBucSoccer/status/1773912504940605757?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/LadyBucSoccer/status/1773912504940605757?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->