ECNL TX U17: Albion Hurricanes dominate DKSC to a 5-0 win

The ECNL Girls League officially kicked off its 2026-2027 season this past weekend, when games of the Texas League Cup were held across the Lone Star State.   For another season, Prep Soccer Texas will continue to follow all the action in the Texas Conference, covering the games with match reports, positional standouts and photo galleries.   We were at Campbell Road Sports Park, in Houston, where [program_tooltip program_id='283243' first='Albion' last='Hurricanes FC'] and [program_tooltip program_id='283317' first='[program_tooltip program_id='280767' first='DKSC' last='']' last=''] U17 teams met on Saturday, August 29, in the season-opening weekend. The hosts dictated the pace of the game from the start and secured a comfortable 5-0 victory.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='283243' first='Albion' last='Hurricanes FC'] U17 vs. [program_tooltip program_id='283317' first='[program_tooltip program_id='280767' first='DKSC' last='']' last=''] U17 - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/09/ecnl-tx-u17-albion-hurricanes-fc-vs-dksc-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/DcwRwnQlECt/?img_index=1 </div></figure>   Albion opened their account in the 17th minute of action when [player_tooltip player_id='112608' first='Camryn' last='King'] rose above everyone else to get to a corner kick from fellow midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='214145' first='Ashley' last='Baxter'] and head it into the back of the net. The hosts doubled their lead a few minutes before the halftime break, when they took advantage of a [program_tooltip program_id='283317' first='[program_tooltip program_id='280767' first='DKSC' last='']' last=''] turnover in their own half and got the ball to forward [player_tooltip player_id='210626' first='Caroline' last='Barrow'], who capitalized on it.   The third goal was scored by midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='214154' first='Marlow' last='Woodford'] - she fired a long-distance shot to beat the opposing goalkeeper in the 16th minute of the second half. Forward [player_tooltip player_id='214146' first='Bridget' last='Asekomhe'] scored the fourth just a minute later, making a run through the center and firing a powerful shot into the upper corner. Albion's dominant victory ended as it started, as midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='148468' first='Brooke' last='Mansour'] got to the end of a corner kick taken by Barrow and headed it home in the 28th minute of the second half.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    King scored Albion's first goal of the match and was constantly involved in the team's offensive actions. Playing as an attacking midfielder, she was very good at getting into open spaces and being an option for her teammates in the attacking half. King also thrived when she dropped deeper to get on the ball, using her body to shield it as she dribbled upfield and releasing it at the right time to find teammates in good spots. She had a good presence in the penalty box and worked hard and efficiently off the ball too, pressing defenders and forcing them into making errors.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/09/2J4A0079_4dbb2d.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-408907" /></figure>    Woodford's presence in midfield was instrumental in Albion's dominant performance, as it gave the team's offensive-minded lineup a strong presence at defensive midfielder. She was very good at shielding her team's backline and used her long frame to intercept long passes and win duels in the center of the field. Woodford was great in possession, too, distributing the ball intelligently and stepping into the attacking half to make plays when she was open. She scored a goal after successfully attempting a long-distance shot and appeared in the final third on other occasions.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/09/2J4A0148_fca388.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-408931" /></figure>    With a goal and an assist, Barrow was also pivotal in Albion's comfortable victory. Her versatility was a factor in her team's offensive system, as she started the match making plays on the left side of their midfield and then moved to center forward. Barrow was very good when going at opponents 1v1 and also at moving off the ball to get involved in the team's offensive plays. She was very composed to finish the counterattack that resulted in the team's second goal and provided great service off corner kicks, assisting in the fifth goal and creating other good chances in dead-ball situations.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/09/2J4A0074_9c516d.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-408905" /></figure>    Playing as a right wingback, Drumgoole-Gray provided great support for Albion's offense. She did a good job of staying wide on the right and used her pace and dribbling skills to make plays on the wings. Drumgoole-Gray delivered good crosses into the box and also came inside on some occasions, getting the assist in Woodford's goal. She also got the job done defensively, showing good effort to work off the ball and keeping up with DKSC's pacey wingers out wide.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/09/2J4A0165_8bdf33.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-408935" /></figure>    Ramirez was in goal for DKSC for the first 50 minutes or so and did a good job of limiting Albion to just two goals. She couldn't have done any better to avoid the goals she conceded and still made some really good saves. She stopped back-to-back short-distance shots on the same play and also showed great range to deflect a long-distance finish that was going into the upper corner. Ramirez also communicated well with her defenders and tried to organize the backline as Albion pushed for more goals.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/09/2J4A0105_7593dd.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-408914" /></figure>    Baptiste brought a breath of pace and power to DKSC's offense. She spent time on both wings and was basically the only player to put pressure on Albion's defense throughout the match. Baptiste was very direct and powerful with her runs and left opponents behind on some occasions, pushing the ball forward in the open field. She attempted to bring the ball inside on some plays, but didn't get much help to make things happen in the final third.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/09/2J4A0126_7c17a4.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-408922" /></figure>

The ECNL Girls League officially kicked off its 2026-2027 season this past weekend, when games of the Texas League Cup were held across the Lone Star State.