TX: Ridge Point beat Elkins to remain unbeaten in district play

District play continues to progress in the University Interscholastic League (UIL) high school soccer season in the state of Texas and, with the second round underway in most districts, teams from all over the Lone Star State continue determined to secure a spot in the playoffs.   Prep Soccer Texas will be following the battle for a place in the postseason in the Houston area, covering multiple matches every week and featuring the top performers in each of them. On Thursday, February 13, we went to Missouri City to catch the encounter between the top two teams in District 21, the Ridge Point Panthers and the Elkins Knights. It was a match of few opportunities and the Panthers took one of the few they had to triumph 1-0.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/02/texas-hs-boys-ridge-point-vs-elkins-photos/">Photos: Ridge Point vs. Elkins</a></li> </ul>   The first half was extremely physical, with the two teams not allowing much space to their opponents. Ridge Point controlled possession and tried to get the ball to senior Dallin Wirthlin and sophomore Dillon Dixon on the final third, but they couldn't make it past Elkins' backline. The Knights, on the other hand, were dangerous in transition, especially with juniors Daniel Diminas and Chris Anani.   The Panthers took advantage of a dead-ball situation to score early in the second half, with junior Nolan Revere sending a long throw-in into the penalty box and Wirthlin beating the defenders to the ball to head it home. In need of a goal, Elkins were on the front foot and had a couple of good chances with Dinimas, who shot wide, and Anani, who was stopped by goalkeeper Lukah Shah, but couldn't avoid the defeat.   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/RPHS_BoysSoccer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RPHS_BoysSoccer</a> protect their lead until the end and beat <a href="https://twitter.com/Elkinssoccer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Elkinssoccer</a> 1-0 on a <a href="https://twitter.com/DallinWirthlin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DallinWirthlin</a> goal. Photos and Match Report to follow at <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepSoccerTX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepSoccerTX</a>. <a href="https://t.co/sXCWMHhFR2">pic.twitter.com/sXCWMHhFR2</a>— Guilherme Torres (@grtorres) <a href="https://twitter.com/grtorres/status/1890237117936332999?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2025</a></blockquote>   With the victory, Ridge Point continued undefeated at the top of the standings of the district, now with seven wins and one tie - they have nine wins, two losses and two ties for the season. Elkins are second with four wins, three losses and one tie and have a 6-7-2 win record for the season.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    Ridge Point's senior midfielder was the team's main playmaker during the match and he did an excellent job of finding space to operate in the final third. Wirthlin not only moved well off the ball to become a passing option in good spots, but also did a great job of eluding defenders with smart first touches and body moves, immediately creating some separation from them - he was fouled quite a few times and got an opponent booked because of it. The senior had some good runs with the ball through the middle and every time he got near the penalty box, he found a teammate in a good spot. It was a match of limited goalscoring opportunities and Wirthlin created the one that decided it pretty much out of nothing, beating Elkins' defenders for the ball after a long thrown-in to head it into the back of the net. He was also very active defensively and tracked back until the end of the match to help his team defend.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/02/2J4A0076_387323.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-279426" /></figure>    Garcia had a great shift operating in a double pivot alongside Nathan Fernandez in Ridge Point's midfield. The two were very active in their defensive duties, covering a lot of ground and closing out the space in the middle and forcing Elkins to play wide. The Panthers looked for the sophomore very often when in possession and he was excellent with the ball, not only helping his team move it, but also attempting some long passes that often found teammates in good spots near or inside the penalty box. Garcia also had a good presence in the final third and fired two shots, with one going wide and the other being blocked.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/02/2J4A0108_dfd633.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-279436" /></figure>    Playing in the center of Ridge Point's back three, Hart was extremely important for the Panthers on both sides of the ball. In the first half, with his team dominating possession, he got on the ball and a lot and displayed great passing ability, not only getting the ball to his fellow center backs, but also helping the team gain yards with direct, line-breaking passes. Hart also made critical interventions when his team had to defend in transition, leaving his position in the middle to cover his teammates on the wings and showing great mobility to quickly get to the ball. The senior center back also protected the penalty box efficiently, making some smart interceptions and winning duels in the center of the field.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/02/2J4A0033_ed71f0.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-279410" /></figure>    The sophomore had a very active start to the match, getting involved in most of Ridge Point's plays in the final third. Dixon worked as an attacking midfielder/second forward in the first half and moved well in the final third, occupying different spots, beating defenders with his runs and engaging in combination plays with his teammates. He was moved to right wingback in the second half and didn't get to see the ball as often, but continued to be dangerous, beating opponents off the dribble and sending accurate crosses into the penalty box.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/02/2J4A0004.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-279403" /></figure>    Elkins' most advanced midfielder in the match, Diminas had a big role in the team's offensive actions and was consistently dangerous. In the first half, with the team relying mostly on transition plays, he did a great job of getting on the end of long passes coming from the backline and either quickly finding striker Chris Anani or the wingers or using his body to shield the ball until his teammates approached. The junior also made some dangerous runs into the penalty box on and off the ball and in one of them had a good chance to score, but shot wide. Diminas was very active with his press too and on a couple of occasions managed to win the ball in the attacking half, creating chances for his team.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/02/2J4A0039.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-279412" /></figure>    Mitchell spent most of the match as a right midfielder and was very active in his wide position. He was an excellent option in transition with his ability to move up the field in no time and make good runs off the ball to explore the space near the sidelines. The junior was also strong in 1v1 duels, going at defenders and beating them off the dribble to take the ball to the end line. Moved to the left side during the second half, Mitchell also had a solid work rate, dropping back to help on defense during the entire time and instructing and encouraging his teammates.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/02/2J4A0010_73938c.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-279405" /></figure>    Playing as a left-side center back, Akanni had a very strong performance for Elkins. His team was under pressure during most of the match and the senior did a great job of using his physicality to defend the penalty box efficiently, clearing crosses, intercepting passes and winning duels. Akanni was dragged higher up on the field on some occasions and held his own, keeping opponents under pressure and defending well in space. The center back did a good job of sending long free kicks into the penalty box and, in the second half, with Ridge Point defending deeper, also had more time on the ball, showing good quality to dribble and pass it out of the back.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/02/2J4A0093_94fed9.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-279431" /></figure>

District play continues to progress in the University Interscholastic League (UIL) high school soccer season in the state of Texas and, with the second round underway in most districts, teams from all over the Lone Star State continue determined to secure a spot in the playoffs.