ECNL TX U16: HTX dominate Rise SC to 3-0 road win

<!-- 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 covered the duel between Rise SC and HTX U16 teams at South Campus, in Houston. A hat-trick by forward Javier Morales propelled the visiting HTX to triumph 3-0.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Rise SC B10 vs. HTX B10 -&nbsp;<a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/04/ecnl-tx-rise-sc-b10-vs-htx-b10-photos/">Photos</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/DW2FWQ0D_x6/?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/DW2FWQ0D_x6/?img_index=1 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Morales got his first goal of the day in the ninth minute, when he redirected a free kick taken by midfielder Dennis Rojas into the back of the net with a header. In the fifth minute of the second half, the forward took advantage of a turnover by Rise and got his second goal with a short-distance shot. Morales completed his hat-trick in the 34th minute, when he pushed a cross shot by forward Hayden Pequeno into the goal with a sliding finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the victory, HTX got to 28 points (nine wins, five losses, one tie), appearing in seventh place in the Texas Conference. Rise are tenth with 20 points (six wins, six losses, two ties).</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":"Javier Morales","_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":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Porter","_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-69d57819226f5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Morales scored the three goals of the match and was easily the most impactful player on the field. The forward's excellent positioning inside the penalty box was critical in his first and third goals, as it placed him in excellent spots to score with a single touch on the ball. Morales proved to be lethal in front of the goal, but also did a good job of getting involved in the team's chance-creation by making runs on and off the ball through the center of the field and the flanks. His energy level was another reason for his great performance, as he kept pressing Rise's defenders and forcing them into errors until the final whistle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":354471,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0155.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-354471" /></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":"Jose Guadarrama","_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":"Lufkin","_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-69d5781922870"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If Morales was a difference-maker for HTX up top, Guadarrama played the same role for them in midfield. He dominated the center of the field with his intense and efficient game and created the conditions for the visiting team to take full control of the match and dictate its pace. Guadarrama was very active and effective defensively, consistently stepping into the right spots to win the ball, be it by picking up loose balls or dispossessing opponents. His game on the ball was also very efficient and smooth, as he passed the ball intelligently and stepped into the final third on some occasions, firing a few dangerous shots on goal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":354443,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0107.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-354443" /></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":"Marco Chavarria","_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":"6'2u0022","_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":"College Park","_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-69d57819229ab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Chavarria led HTX to a clean sheet with a very solid performance for them in central defense. Playing as a right-sided center back, he benefited from his positioning to intercept long balls and prevent them from finding opponents behind the backline, but also did well when he had to face forward 1v1, showing great footwork and patience to wait for the right moment to make a play for the ball. Chavarria also did very well in the air, clearing it from the box in corner kicks and crosses. He had a somewhat simple and safe distribution out of the back and was efficient at moving the ball upfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":354448,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0116.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-354448" /></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":"Dennis Rojas","_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":"Cypress Ridge","_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-69d5781922aeb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rojas had a strong performance in midfield for HTX, combining high intensity and quality on the ball. The left-footed box-to-box midfielder played more to the left side, but circulated all over the field to get involved in attacking plays, standing out for his vision and his ability to pick the right passes and release the ball at the right time. Rojas also did very well in set pieces, assisting in the first goal and providing great service on other occasions. The midfielder also contributed defensively, helping occupy the center of the field and showing good energy to fight for the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":354474,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0159.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-354474" /></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":"Nicholas Thomas","_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":"5'6u0022","_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":"Ridge Point","_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-69d5781922c23"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thomas was Rise's most dangerous attacking player and was involved in most of the team's goalscoring opportunities in the match. Playing as an inverted winger on the right, he was very strong 1v1 in the first half, beating defenders off the dribble before firing shots or sending crosses into the box. In the second half, Thomas was more closely defended and struggled to get the ball around the box, but showed good vision to drop back and facilitate plays with first-time passes. The winger had a great chance to score in the second half, but had his shot stopped by Rise's goalkeeper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":354460,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0138.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-354460" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["349134"],"_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-69d5781922cdd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A central midfielder, Garcia was among Rise's most consistent players in the match. He played with great intensity, competing for the ball and trying to stop HTX's plays in the center of the field. Garcia's passing was accurate for the most part, and he played an important role in a moment in which his team was struggling to move the ball out of the back in the second half, dropping to support them and find solutions. The midfielder had one of Rise's best goalscoring opportunities in the match by getting to the end of a free kick cross inside the box, but saw his header go over the crossbar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":354459,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0137.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-354459" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->