Texas HS: Katy and Cinco Ranch tie in exciting district opener

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>District play is officially underway in the Texas high school soccer season, as, starting this week, teams from all over the Lone Star State began playing their regional rivals for spots in the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For another season, Prep Soccer Texas will be following the action closely as it unfolds in the Houston area, attending multiple matches a week and providing the best coverage in the state, with Photo Galleries, Match Reports and Social Media posts that will help increase the exposure of teams and players in the Lone Star State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Wednesday, January 14, the action got started in the always-competitive District 19, and we were at Katy High School, where the Katy Tigers hosted the Cinco Ranch Cougars in their district opener. It was an exciting match, with goals scored in the first and the last minutes, and it ended in a 3-3 tie.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Katy vs. Cinco Ranch - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/01/texas-hs-katy-vs-cinco-ranch-photos/">Photos</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/DThLE7NDjjg/?img_index=1","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/DThLE7NDjjg/?img_index=1 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers had an excellent start to the match and scored in the second and fourth minutes, in very similar plays, which had them winning the ball in the attacking half and sophomore midfielder Colt Venier firing a powerful shot from just outside the box. The Cougars got one back in the 15th minute, thanks to a beautiful shot from outside the box from junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='277893' first='Jonathan' last='Torkin'], but Venier completed his hat-trick by finalizing a quick transition play with a left-footed shot in the 32nd minute to send Katy to the break with a 3-1 lead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cinco Ranch pushed forward in the second half, but only managed to get their second goal in the 32nd minute, when freshman winger Angelo Grogan-Webb crossed from the left, the ball deflected off a defender and found senior forward Samuel do Prado, who sent it back to the net with a well-placed shot. The Cougars' equalizer was scored in the last second of the match. Katy's goalkeeper got the ball with 13 seconds to go and punted it upfield. Cinco's sophomore midfielder returned it with a first-time pass, and the ball went to junior defender Miguel Avila, who fired a cross shot to even things out as the clock ran down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Katy will continue their district campaign on Saturday, on the road, against Seven Lakes. On the same day, Cinco Ranch play their first home match, hosting Taylor.</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_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":"Colt Venier","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_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":"Katy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-6968747734b88"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With three goals scored, the sophomore was easily the most impactful player on the field. Playing as an attacking midfielder, Venier was very alert at the start of the match, taking advantage of two turnovers from Cinco Ranch to score twice within three minutes with powerful, well-placed shots. He made some good runs through the middle as well, including the one that resulted in his third goal, which was produced with a left-footed shot. Venier played with great intensity as well and made a huge defensive stop in his own box in the final minutes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":348101,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/01/2J4A0057_0affe1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-348101" /></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":"Anthony Ayodele","_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":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Katy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Cedar Stars Rush","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-6968747734ca2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing as a center forward, the senior was the focal point of Katy's offense and assisted Venier in one of his goals. Ayodele was very important tactically, triggering Katy's high press that helped them score two very early goals in the match. With the team leading right from the start, Katy tried to hit on the counter, and the forward did a good job of staying onside and getting on the end of long passes, either by drifting wide or holding the ball up and combining with his teammates. Ayodele dropped to center midfielder in the final minutes and helped Katy as they tried to protect their lead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":348083,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/01/2J4A0005_d3f5a2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-348083" /></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":"Christian Wade","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_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":"100","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Katy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Cedar Stars Rush","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-6968747734db5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The sophomore did very well in goal and was one of the reasons for Katy sustaining Cinco Ranch's pressure for so long. Wade made several difficult saves, most notably one in a low-corner shot by Miguel Avila right at the start of the second half and another one in a header by Josh Stofberg in the final minutes, and couldn't have avoided the two goals he conceded -he left the game injured right before the final play and wasn't between the posts when the visitors scored their equalizer. The goalkeeper also did well in claiming many of the crosses the Cougars sent into the box and knew when to cool them off and slow the pace of the game down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":348118,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/01/2J4A0097_9a1138.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-348118" /></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":"Logan Nail","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_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":"Katy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Cedar Stars Rush","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-6968747734e95"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The sophomore led Katy's backline in a very strong performance for nearly 75 minutes. A right-sided center back, Nail defended the penalty box very well and did a good job of consistently communicating with his teammates. He displayed great chemistry with fellow sophomore center back John McBroom as the two consistently stepped up to cover each other when needed. Nail also displayed good precision with long passes and goal kicks, doing a good job of getting the ball to his teammates in the attacking half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":348114,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/01/2J4A0091_1d1476.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-348114" /></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":"Miguel Avila","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_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":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Cinco Ranch","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='283243' first='Albion' last='Hurricanes FC']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-6968747734f78"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The junior started the match at left back and was one of the players who helped Cinco Ranch get back into the game after a terrible start. Avila was very present in the attacking half and made good plays out wide, combining with his teammates and sending crosses into the box. He returned to the second half playing on the right wing and continued to be dangerous, beating opponents in the final third and at times dropping back and coming inside to operate as more of a playmaker. Avila fired a great shot that was stopped by Katy's goalkeeper early in the second half and scored the equalizer with a well-placed right-footed shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":348105,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/01/2J4A0066_fd9ede.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-348105" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["277893"],"_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-696874773500b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The junior only played the first half, but had a good performance and was a constant threat to Katy's backline. Torkin scored Cinco Ranch's first goal with a beautiful shot from outside the box and had great duels with Katy's center backs, occupying them. He was very strong in the air, winning many duels and scoring another goal, which was called off due to an offside. Torkin also stood out as a playmaker, dribbling the ball around the penalty box to create space and finding the wingers behind the backline with well-weighted passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":348092,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/01/2J4A0032_46f2cf.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-348092" /></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 Perez","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_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":"Cinco Ranch","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-69687477350e2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The sophomore was very active in center midfield for Cinco Ranch and got on the ball a lot, consistently making good choices with his distribution. Perez's ability to move the ball helped the Courgars keep possession to overcome their difficult start and facilitated most of their attacking plays. The left-footed midfielder did very well at getting the ball to the team's wide players and delivered good service in the box in the final minutes of the match. Perez was smart to hit Katy's goalkeeper's punt back with a low pass, as it saved time and gave Aguilar an extra second to finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":348117,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/01/2J4A0096_bde52b.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-348117" /></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":"Samuel do Prado","_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":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Cinco Ranch","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-69687477351e6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The senior replaced Torkin in the second half and did well at center forward. Prado played with great energy, moving well in the final third and connecting with his teammates. The forward also worked well with his back to the goal and won some physical duels in the final third. He did very well in the only chance he had to score, sending the ball into the low corner in a critical moment and getting his team back in the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":348107,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/01/2J4A0070_2187b4.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-348107" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->