Seven strong keepers from Texas

The competition in Texas is strong, and to stand out, one must really rise above the many. These seven keepers in Texas have the ability and dedication to the game, and have risen to the top of their respective classes, regions, clubs and schools. These seven keepers are incredibly talented.   [player_tooltip player_id='156237' first='Alexis' last='Crawford'], Challenge   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/08/Crawford-crop-755x496-1724278913.jpg?w=754" alt="" class="wp-image-215416" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Lisa Kees</figcaption></figure>   Crawford is not afraid to fight through traffic, as she almost pays it no attention. She finds a way to get through it and to the ball by way of being physical and being determined. She's got great hands as she secures the ball well, and only punches when there is a body in front of her. She's quick horizontally as well, as she covers her posts well whether it be in the air or on the ground. A good shot stopper with quick reactions, Crawford plays her club with Challenge 08 ECNL and attends Cypress Ranch High.   Savannah Epting, HTX   The HTX club player attends Pearland High and she was second team all-state a season ago. Epting has very good size, and this allows her to cover more area than other keepers. Shots that some keepers would have to tip, she can save, and she covers her upper V's very well. She's very athletic and gets vertical quickly and smoothly as you will have a hard time beating her going low. She stops shots at point-blank range because she has great fast twitch, and she is very decisive when deciding to come out for a ball, either on a corner or if a player is in 1v1 as she really takes the angle away, or she gets a touch on the ball before a shot is attempted.   Libby Flores, Classics Elite   The Classics Elite player attends Pieper High in San Antionio where she will be a junior. Epting pounces and pounces quickly, as she makes a quick decision and once committed, will stick to her decision. She will come out quite far for the ball and will at least get a touch on the ball. She's quick and agile, she reads what is in front of her really well and you can see her position herself well, adjusting every so slightly based on where the ball or attacker is. She stops shots very well.   Kat Graves, Solar Black   Graves showed great athleticism on her tape, and I was especially impressed at a moment when she thought of coming out and then retreated and did so quickly and with enough agility to still be in position to make a save. Her athleticism allows her to react to a ball that's deflected or one that goes in an unanticipated direction. She knows how to get big, she uses every tool in her toolbox to make a save as she makes tough saves look routine because of her decision making process. Graves attends Trinity High in Euless.   Cinnamon Hurst, Dallas Texans   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/08/Hurst-crop-1209x794-1724278984.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-215418" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Sting Dallas</figcaption></figure>   This Forney High Lady Rabbit is relentless in goal. She doesn't just make a save, but makes a save and then pops up and makes another one. She does not rest until the job is done. She shows great athleticism, and incredibly reaction time on balls sent in quickly, or a shot hit one-time. She is cat-like in her reflexes, and almost dares attackers to try to beat her. She uses her body very well, in terms of positioning and in terms of getting big and long. She has a strong understanding of angles and uses them to her advantage to close out on an attacker.   Emme Norman, FC Dallas   The FC Dallas 2008 keeper is also the keeper for the two-time defending state champ Celina High team. She flows well with the play in front of her, and when some keepers leave the far post open on a ball played across the face of goal, she covers it well because of how she reads play. With quick reactions, she is a good shot stopper, she shows great athleticism and she is a very good distributor as she helps the back line transition quickly.   [player_tooltip player_id='210609' first='Avery' last='Seitz'], DKSC   Seitz plays up for the DKSC ECNL-RL team, playing for the 06/07 team. She attends Marcus High in Highland Village. The first thing that stood out on film was her ability and comfort to possess the ball. She was not rushed or panicked, looking cool and helping build from the back. When the ball is in the air, she tracks it very well, as she really understands the pace and depth as she handles long balls into the box and crosses very well. Seitz has strong hands and as long as she can get a finger tip to the ball, she will redirect it. She is also one of the hardest working keepers in Texas.

The competition in Texas is strong, and to stand out, one must really rise above the many. These seven keepers in Texas have the ability and dedication to the game, and have risen to the top of their respective classes, regions, clubs and schools. These seven keepers are incredibly talented.