Texas HS: Taylor defeat Tompkins 3-1 in last district match

The high school soccer season is back in motion in Texas after a week of pause for Spring Break and the playoffs are just around the corner, beginning by the end of the week.   Prep Soccer Texas will continue to follow the action closely as the most exciting part of the season 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 Monday, March 16, we followed the last day of district matches in the Katy area, attending the District 19 match between the Tompkins Falcons and the Katy Taylor Mustangs. Despite playing on the road, Taylor dominated and triumphed 3-1.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Tompkins vs. Taylor - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/03/texas-hs-tompkins-vs-taylor-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/DV-IQTUDuU5/?img_index=1 </div></figure>   Taylor scored their first goal in the third minute of action, when a blocked shot went senior midfielder Yrwin Rincon's way in the box, and he fired a powerful left-footed shot into the back of the net. The visiting team doubled its lead in the 34th minute, when junior midfielder delivered a low cross from the left off a free kick and junior forward Alfonso Blanco connected a first-time, left-footed shot to score.   Tompkins got an early goal in the second half, with senior midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='347326' first='Eloy' last='Ferrer'] appearing on the back post to get on the end of a low cross shot and tap it in the fifth minute. The Mustangs, however, sealed the deal in the 26th minute, when senior midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='171364' first='Jordan' last='Arney'] crossed from the right, a Tompkins defender mishit the ball as he attempted to clear it, and senior forward Luke Shirley picked up the rebound and capitalized on it.   With the result, Taylor ended district play with 31 points (nine wins, three losses, four ties). Tompkins had 23 (seven wins, six losses, two ties). Both teams made it to the playoffs.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    The sophomore was excellent in midfield for Taylor, giving the team great balance and a lot of intensity in the center of the field. Reynoso Garza was very active defensively, anticipating passes and winning duels, but also showed great quickness to track back and shut down transition plays. The midfielder got on the ball a lot and didn't need much time to pick and execute the right passes and keep the ball moving. Reynoso Garza also made some nice runs through the middle, squeezing between opponents to push the ball upfield and get it to the final third.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0041_d89dd4.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-352546" /></figure>    The senior goalkeeper was very steady and reliable between the posts and stepped up to intervene on the few occasions that Taylor's defensive system was beaten. Sabek was always alert and did well every time he had to claim crosses or leave his spot to get on the end of long passes behind the backline. The goalkeeper was called to action a few times in the second half and responded well, doing particularly well in stopping a short-distance free kick that was going into his upper corner. Sabek also used his feet wisely and efficiently, avoiding unneccesary risks and playing safely out of the back.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0009_0e6191.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-352532" /></figure>    The senior forward came off the bench for Taylor and added to their offense with his high-energy game and versatility. Shirley was first used on the left and made some good plays out there, running at defenders and attacking the space. He then moved centrally and continued to keep Tompkins' backline under pressure with his aggressive runs. He did well in his goal by staying in the play and trusting that Tompkins' defender could make a mistake, and was lucky to see his shot bounce off a defender and send the goalkeeper the wrong way.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0051_bd108b.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-352549" /></figure>    The sophomore formed a strong midfield duo with Reynoso Garza and helped Taylor dominate a key area of the field. Cepeda showed solid defensive instincts, reacting quickly to plays to be the first to get to second balls and to intercept passes. He also took great care of the ball, moving it intelligently and rarely wasting possession. Cepeda had more freedom to step into the attacking half and made good use of it, connecting well with the forwards.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0057_54460a.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-352550" /></figure>    With Tompkins missing some important attacking pieces, almost all of their offense ran through the senior midfielder. Playing the No. 10 role, Ferrer moved a lot to get on the ball and did a good job of diversifying his positioning, at times dropping back to initiate plays and on other occasions operating between the lines. He managed to create good chances with his skilled left foot, provided good service from set pieces and fired a nice shot on target in the second half. Ferrer did very well in crashing into the back post to score the Falcons' only goal in the match and left the field right after it due to an injury.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0003_814c1a.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-352529" /></figure>    Playing as a defensive midfielder, the junior was highly influential in Tompkins' game. Veracoechea did well defensively, using his size to win duels and close the space down, and showed good quality on the ball to move it efficiently, even when under pressure. He made some nice combination plays with Ferrer through the middle that helped his team get the ball into the final third. When his teammate left the match injured, Veracoechea attempted to step into the final third more often and fired some good shots on target. The best of them was a free kick that Taylor's goalkeeper made a great save.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0014_dc3d26.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-352535" /></figure>    The senior added to Tompkins' offense with his pace and his ability to make plays out wide. Ayala spent time on both wings and was very confident with how he went at defenders and tried to beat them with crafty moves. He was particularly dangerous in the first half, when he played on the left, and found space to make some runs behind Taylor's right wingback. Ayala was also very disciplined, always tracking back and playing defense with good energy.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0082.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-352561" /></figure>

The high school soccer season is back in motion in Texas after a week of pause for Spring Break and the playoffs are just around the corner, beginning by the end of the week.