ECNL TX: Rise 08/07 beat Albion in season-opening H-Town Showdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The ECNL League kicked off its 2025-2026 season last weekend, with matches on both genders taking place all over the country for the first of several months of action that will follow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Soccer Texas will closely follow the progress of the ECNL season for local boys and girls teams for the next several months, attending matches and showcases held in the Lone Star State to produce articles, photos and social media posts that highlight the impressive performances and accomplishments from our players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our 2025-2026 coverage started on Saturday, August 30, with the H-Town Derby between Houston rivals Rise SC B08/07 and [program_tooltip program_id='283243' first='Albion' last='Hurricanes FC'] B08/07 at the South Campus. Playing at home, Rise were more efficient at converting their chances and produced a strong 3-0 victory to start their season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/09/ecnl-tx-rise-sc-b08-07-vs-albion-hurricanes-fc-b08-07-photos/">Photos: Rise SC B08/07 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283243' first='Albion' last='Hurricanes FC'] B08/07</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A former Albion player, forward [player_tooltip player_id='15886' first='Brayden' last='Lehner'] scored the first one for Rise, elevating above everyone else in a corner kick to head it home in the 17th minute. The home team doubled their lead before the halftime break as forward [player_tooltip player_id='318615' first='Andres' last='Rosales'] stepped up to take a penalty kick in the 34th minute and converted it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rise continued to push and had a great opportunity in the first minute of the second half, with midfielder Bryant Palacios hitting the crossbar with a header. Their third goal was scored in the 32nd minute, when Camille Llorca found fellow midfielder Eloy Ferrer with an excellent through ball and saw him bury it with a right-footed shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With three points (one win), Rise will be on the road in their next match, facing [program_tooltip program_id='283457' first='San' last='Antonio City SC'] on September 13. With zero points (one loss), Albion will also make the trip to the Alamo City on September 13, facing [program_tooltip program_id='283458' first='San' last='Antonio FC'] in their second match of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["318615"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68b867aaa17d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The forward was a constant concern to Albion's backline with his high-energy game and consistent movement up top. Rosales worked very well with his back to the goal, but also made strong runs behind the backline and out wide, keeping the entire opposing backline under pressure. He scored the team's second goal with a good penalty kick shot and almost got another one in the second half, seeing his finish go just a few inches wide. Rosales was also very important with his relentless work off the ball and his ability to press, which made Albion defenders repeatedly force long passes and generated some recoveries in dangerous spots in the attacking half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":318682,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/08/2J4A0030_2a075a.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-318682" /></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":"Camille Llorca","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_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":"Lamar","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Rise SC","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68b867aaa18be"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Llorca had an excellent shift in midfield for Rise, helping his team dominate the central area of the field with his intensity and efficiency. He was very good at covering ground and keeping opponents under pressure, but also did great work in possession, distributing the ball intelligently and helping feed the team's attacking players. He was taken off near the end of the first half and made an immediate impact when he returned halfway through the second half, getting Ferrer in a great position to score with an inch-perfect through ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":318669,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/08/2J4A0005_ae33de.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-318669" /></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":"Osagie Osague","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_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":"Jordan","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Rise SC","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68b867aaa198d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Besides scoring three goals, Rise also displayed great defensive solidity, and that was due to the great work of Osague and fellow center back [player_tooltip player_id='226603' first='Andrew' last='Dillett'] on the backline. The two were excellent at shutting down Albion's attempts and dominating their attacking players with great positioning and strong defensive plays. The most physical of the two, Osague also appeared well in the air, helping his team defend set pieces and clearing several long-ball attempts by their opponents. Osague was very calm on the ball and was very reliable in possession, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":318688,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/08/2J4A0040_44d385.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-318688" /></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":"Bryant Palacios","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_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":"Angleton","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Rise SC","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68b867aaa1a23"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Palacios came into the match during the first half and gave Rise an interesting attacking option. Playing on the left, he was very active offensively, going at defenders in 1v1 situations and making plays out wide. He almost scored on a header and also created chances for his teammates, beating defenders off the dribble and bringing the ball to his right foot to send in swinging crosses. Palacios also showed strong tactical commitment, dropping back to help his team defend and playing with good energy off the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":318685,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/08/2J4A0035.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-318685" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["288471"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68b867aaa1a74"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Originally a left back, Otalvaro appeared in central midfield for Albion in the first match of the season and was one of their most consistent players. He used his physical tools to challenge opponents in the center of the field and was fairly successful at winning duels. A lefty, Otalvaro also showed calm on the ball and did a good job of keeping possession and connecting smart passes out of the middle. His game dropped a little bit during the second half, but he still continued to perform at a solid level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":318671,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/08/2J4A0008.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-318671" /></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":"Diego Martinez","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_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":"Jordan","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='283243' first='Albion' last='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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68b867aaa1afc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing as an attacking midfielder, Martinez displayed great effort to make plays in the center of the field. Albion insisted on playing long for a fair portion of the match, but when he got on the ball, the midfielder tried to calm things down and organize the game for them. Martinez was closely followed by Rise's defensive midfielders, but continued to move to be able to get on the ball with some space and managed to connect good passes. He was also very active off the ball, supporting his team's defensive efforts and fighting for 50-50 balls in the center of the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":318691,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/08/2J4A0046_fefe5a.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-318691" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->