Texas HS: Seven Lakes top Paetow 4-0 on the road in district play

District play continues to progress in the Texas high school soccer season, as, since the middle of January, teams from all over the Lone Star State began playing their regional rivals for spots in the playoffs.   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.   On Tuesday, January 27, play resumed in District 19 after a cold weekend and we were at the match involving the Paetow Panthers and the Seven Lakes Spartans in Katy. Despite playing on the road, the Spartans scored twice in each half to return home with a 4-0 victory.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Paetow vs. Seven Lakes - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/01/texas-hs-paetow-vs-seven-lakes-photos/">Photos</a></li> </ul>   <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/DUCoHG0jtSg/?img_index=1 </div></figure>   The Spartans took advantage of a moment of lost focus by Paetwo to score in the 32nd minute of the first half, as senior midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='90419' first='Anthony' last='Sorto'] quickly took a free kick he drew in his own half and found junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='338116' first='Kanishk' last='Baviskar'] open behind Paetow's backline to score. The play repeated six minutes later, now with Sorto playing a through ball to Baviskar in the final third and the forward burying it again.   Paetow had a pair of good chances to score in the second half but didn't convert them, and were punished in the 24th minute, when Sorto made a great play down the left and crossed the ball to senior forward Kaito Ushuzuki, who shot twice to score. Six minutes later, senior defender Jasper Schneefuss passed the ball to senior forward Carlos Yelamo, who scored the final goal for the Spartans.   With the victory, Seven Lakes got to ten points (three wins, one tie) in the standings - they play Tompkins at home on Friday. Paetow continue with seven points (two wins, two losses, one tie) and will face Katy on the road on Friday.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    The senior was Seven Lakes' main attacking option in the match, assisting in three of the team's four goals. Sorto played more centrally in the first half and used his dribbling ability to create space and his vision to make plays in the final third. He was very smart to quickly take a free kick and catch Paetow's backline disorganized in the first goal and perfectly-weighted his pass in the second. Sorto moved to left winger in the second half and tormented Paetow's right back in 1v1 duels, beating him off the dribble before crossing to assist in the third goal.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/01/2J4A0035_4fbfd8.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-349281" /></figure>    The junior played only in the first half of the match, but had more than enough time to be make a difference, scoring twice and getting his team in a comfortable spot. Baviskar spent time on both wings and wasn't as incisive as he typically is for most of the first half, often bringing the ball inside or passing it back. He found his rhythm right before the halftime break, timing his runs behind the backline well and creating three consecutive chances for the Spartans. Baviskar sent a dangerous cross that went near the goal line in the first one and scored on the other two, showing calm and composure in front of Paetow's goalkeeper.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/01/2J4A0032_97a61f.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-349280" /></figure>    Despite Seven Lakes' comfortable score, Paetow strongly challenged them and demanded a lot from the senior goalkeeper for him to get a clean sheet. Garcia was asked to leave his spot to handle passes behind the backline a few times right at the start of the match and did very well, moving quickly and confidently for the ball. The goalkeeper was dominant in the air, being the first to get to the ball in almost every cross, free kick, or corner kick that went into his box. Garcia made an incredible save in the second half, diving to stop a header from Paetow's midfielder Diego Sanchez in what could have been a key moment of the match. The goalkeeper was also very good with his distribution, initiating transition plays with his throws and using his feet well when needed.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/01/2J4A0036_4e55ee.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-349282" /></figure>    The junior was very solid in the defensive midfielder role, patrolling the center of the field and protecting Seven Lakes' backline with remarkable efficiency. Towsen stood out for his ability to read plays and intercept passes in the air and on the ground, and also played hard to dispossess opponents and win the ball. The midfielder took good care of the ball, connecting the vast majority of his passes and making the team's game flow through the center of the field. Towsen sent an excellent long ball behind the backline that generated a strong attacking play for the Spartans in the first half.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/01/2J4A0070_6ce7d9.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-349295" /></figure>    The senior was part of the strong Seven Lakes backline that managed to get a clean sheet on the road. A right back, Schneefuss was very solid defensively, playing with firmness and intensity in his work off the ball. He covered a lot of ground and was a constant attacking option on the right side, overlapping, exchanging passes with his teammates and sending good crosses into the box. Schneefuss found some nice passes down the line and capped off a solid performance with a nice pass to assist in the team's last goal.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/01/2J4A0037_4bf9c5.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-349283" /></figure>    The senior was Paetow's most consistent player throughout the match, playing a key role for them in his central midfielder role. Ochoa got on the ball a lot, showing calm and quality to keep possession in the center of the field, while also efficiently moving the ball with quick passes. He drifted more to the left side of the attack in the second half and connected well with winger Jaden Mbawe. Ochoa sent some good crosses into the box and was very precise with his corner kicks.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/01/2J4A0051_8d71b9.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-349287" /></figure>    The junior forward stepped up after a slow first half and was involved in Paetow's main attacking plays in the second half of the match. Playing as a left winger, Mbawe stayed wide in the first half, but couldn't find much space to beat opponents with his pace. He roamed a little bit more in the final third in the second half and was way more dangerous, bringing the ball inside from the left to hit the post with a beautiful shot and going all the way to the right to force Garcia into a difficult save. Mbawe was also very active at pressing Seven Lakes' defenders.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/01/2J4A0068_df34d4.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-349294" /></figure>

District play continues to progress in the Texas high school soccer season, as, since the middle of January, teams from all over the Lone Star State began playing their regional rivals for spots in the playoffs.