ECNL TX U14: HTX beat Rise SC on the road with last-minute goal

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The ECNL Boys League is back in action after its winter break, as teams from all over the country make a final push to secure spots in the League's Playoffs and National Finals, which will be held between June and July.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PrepSoccer Texas continues to offer unparalleled coverage of the teams from the Lone Star State that compete in the Texas Division, bringing consistent content that includes match and player reports, Photo Galleries and social media posts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Saturday, April 4, we were at South Campus, in Houston, where Rise SC and HTX battled in the H-Town Showdown in the U14 age group. With a goal scored in the last play of the match, the visiting HTX triumphed 3-2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Rise SC B12 vs. HTX B12 - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/04/ecnl-tx-rise-sc-b12-vs-htx-b12-photos/">Photos</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/DWw3ye_D64P/?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/DWw3ye_D64P/?img_index=1 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>HTX scored the only goal in the first half, in the 28th minute, when forward Oluwatobiloba Samuel, who had just entered the match, received the ball inside the box and placed it over Rise's goalkeeper. The visitors doubled their lead in the very first minute of the second half, when Rise's goalkeeper couldn't properly clear a cross coming from the left, and the ball found midfielder Malik Allen, who tapped it in at the back post.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rise got one back in the 11th minute, when winger Joseph Firat crossed the ball from the left, and midfielder Jhonny Cuero Ramirez headed it into the back of the net. The home team leveled the score ten minutes later, with a beautiful shot by midfielder Alejandro Duque from well outside the box. HTX's game-winning goal was scored in the last play of the match, with defender [player_tooltip player_id='354378' first='Flavio' last='Rodriguez'] taking a free kick on the edge of the box and seeing the ball bounce off the post and Rise's goalkeeper after going in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>HTX are currently in second place in the Texas Conference with 35 points (11 wins, two losses, two ties). Rise are ninth with 24 points (eight wins, six losses).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Players of the Match</strong></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":"Oluwatobiloba Samuel","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"HTX","_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-69d4170f016e5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Samuel had an immediate impact in the match, scoring HTX's first goal right after entering the field in a play in which he showed great positioning inside the box and calmness in front of the goal to score with a nice touch. He did a good job of constantly being an option up top and was very involved in the team's chance-creation. Samuel operated efficiently as the team's solo striker, working well with his back to the goal, and also in a two-forward setup, drifting wide and making good runs on the flanks. He almost scored another goal in the second half, firing a dangerous shot on goal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":354329,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0040.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-354329" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["354378"],"_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-69d4170f017a6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rodriguez scored the game-winning goal in a play in which he fired a great shot, but was also a bit lucky. He anchored his team's backline, playing as right-sided center back for most of the time and in the center of their back three when they switched systems. Rodriguez was very solid defensively, reading the game well and stepping up to intercept passes and making good stops in duels. The defender also contributed in possession, hitting accurate long balls out of the back and breaking Rise's lines of press with direct passes through the center.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":354358,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0095.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-354358" /></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":"Christopher Russell","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2030","_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"HTX","_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-69d4170f0183c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Russell was HTX's main playmaker and had a busy match, getting on the ball very often and making plays. An attacking midfielder, he roamed well in the attacking half, picking open spots to get on the ball and set up his team's goalscoring opportunities. Russell was very direct and aggressive on the ball, doing a good job of making strong runs through the middle, but also demonstrated great vision to pass the ball and connect with his teammates. The midfielder also showed good energy and commitment without the ball, dropping back and supporting his team when playing defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":354328,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0038.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-354328" /></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":"Pierre Knapps","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2030","_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"HTX","_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-69d4170f018c3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Knapps had an important role in HTX's victory, offering significant contributions on both sides of the ball with his well-rounded game. He played as a wide midfielder and spent time on both flanks, playing with great intensity and efficiency. Knapps was very quick when driving the ball forward and helped his team take it to the attacking half on many occasions. The midfielder was excellent defensively, offering great support to the team's outside backs and having impeccable timing for his tackles, managing to win the ball even when challenging more physical opponents. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":354321,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0017.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-354321" /></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":"Jhonny Ramirez Cuero","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2030","_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Rise SC","_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-69d4170f01944"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ramirez Cuero had an excellent performance in midfield for Rise. He started the match in a defensive midfielder role and was very good at shielding the team's backline with his high intensity and great instincts, while also controlling the pace of the game in possession. Ramirez Cuero moved into a more advanced role at the start of the second half and made a major offensive impact, setting up attacking plays and attacking the penalty box to score the team's first goal with a header. He moved to central defense later after a teammate went down injured and continued to make solid defensive work, while also raising the level of Rise's buildup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":354317,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0009_967e8c.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-354317" /></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":"Alejandro Rauh-Hain","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2030","_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Rise SC","_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-69d4170f019c3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rauh-Hain entered the match during the second half, with Rise down 2-0, and had a big role in his team's reaction. His strong play between the posts kept his team in the game, most notably a diving save in a long-distance shot by midfielder Elias Abaid and a stop in a 1v1 play against forward Rhys Leblanc. Rauh-Hain was unlucky in the play that decided the match, seeing the ball hit the post and bounce off his body into the back of the net. The goalkeeper also helped set up attacking plays for his side with long, accurate punts out of the back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":354353,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0085.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-354353" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->