Texas HS Girls: Cy-Fair vs. Stratford

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>District play is underway in the University Interscholastic League (UIL) high school soccer season in Texas and for the next two months teams around the Lone Star State will be playing their closest rivals in a contest for a spot in the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Soccer will be following several of the matches taking place in the Houston area and reporting on them, highlighting the Top Performers and sharing photos of the encounters. On Tuesday, January 19, we were in Cypress, where two of the best teams in District 17, the Cy-Fair Bobcats and the Stratford Spartans, played their first district matches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/01/texas-hs-girls-cy-fair-vs-stratford-photos/">Cy-Fair vs. Stratford - Photos</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After getting their first goal at the very end of the first half with sophomore forward Avery Rushing, Stratford were much more effective in the second half, securing a 5-0 win with goals from junior midfielder Mary Paul, sophomore midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='155725' first='Sara' last='Benton'], junior midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='54870' first='Ryann' last='Weber'] and junior outside back Whitney Bui.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These were the most impressive players on the field:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"Hannah Ryan","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_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":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Stratford","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Albion Hurricanes FC","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Stratford's comfortable victory didn't mean that the team's backline had an easy night as Cy-Fair repeatedly attempted to hurt the Spartans in transition with their quick forwards. Every time they did that, however, Ryan was there to shut them down. Playing as a left-sided center back, she formed a strong duo with [player_tooltip player_id='148753' first='Zoe' last='Lawless'] and was very good at getting to the ball first and intercepting passes. Ryan was challenged in 1v1 situations too and was very successful, getting stops and winning the ball back. She used her positioning to intercept long passes and was also very solid and efficient in possession.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65b09e52d3155"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":160159,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/01/IMG_9245.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-160159" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cy-Fair vs. Stratford</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["148466"],"_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_0_evaluation":"As the most defensive player in the Spartans' midfield, Brendel did a lot of work for them, patrolling the midfield and gaining possession. She covered a lot of ground and had great success in her duels, dominating the center of the field with her high-energy game. The freshman also displayed great quality when she had the ball, connecting accurate passes and helping the team's buildup. Brendel was particularly good at switching the point of attack by quickly getting long passes across the field from her central position.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65b09e52d31ed"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":160179,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/01/IMG_9361.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-160179" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cy-Fair vs. Stratford</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["155725"],"_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_0_evaluation":"The dynamic Benton was Stratford's engine in the match, running a lot in her box-to-box midfielder role. She worked hard alongside Brendel to control the center of the field and was extremely productive when in possession. Benton made excellent choices with her passing and often got the ball under pressure and was able to find a teammate with space to operate. Her vertical passes were always on point too, as she found a lot of space behind Cy-Fair's backline and fed her teammates with well-weighted passes. Benton was rewarded for an excellent match with a beautiful goal scored on a free kick just outside the penalty box.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65b09e52d3266"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1749982592420442437?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/grtorres/status/1749982592420442437?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- 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":"Mary Paul","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'2u0022","_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":"Stratford","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Albion Hurricanes FC","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Stratford's creative playmaker was very involved in the team's offense, facilitating her teammates in the final third. Capable of using either foot with great precision and power, Paul was very precise with her passing and on several occasions caught Cy-Fair's backline off-guard with her one-time passes. The midfielder moved well around the penalty box and also had a good presence inside it, as in the play in which she scored the team's second goal. Paul's set pieces were also an important weapon for Stratford as they generated several goalscoring opportunities for them.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65b09e52d3339"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1749980347444461899?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/grtorres/status/1749980347444461899?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["54870"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Weber played a fantastic game, leading Stratford to victory with a goal and two assists, besides drawing the free kick that resulted in the team's third goal. She played as more of an attacking midfielder, but had a lot of freedom to roam in the attacking half and did it very well, exploring every inch of space allowed by Cy-Fair's backline. Weber was very aggressive and direct on the ball and had great success in much of her runs, beating defenders off the dribble and using her pace to leave them behind. She assisted on the first goal with a smart flick-on header, made the entire play of the second with a great run down the right and scored the fourth with a beautiful chip over the goalkeeper.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65b09e52d33b5"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1749968045542637662?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/grtorres/status/1749968045542637662?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- 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":"Joelyn Vega-Galvis","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_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":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Cy-Fair","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Dynamos SC","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"If Cy-Fair were able to keep a strong Stratford team scoreless for nearly an entire half, a lot of it was due to Vega-Galvis' strong performance in the center of the team's backline. Fellow center back Sofia Vazquez and her won several duels in the center of the field and protected the team's penalty box extremely well in the first half, keeping Stratford's attackers away in less dangerous positions. Vega-Galvis also had an important role taking goal kicks and free kicks that often initiated attacking plays for the Bobcats. In the second half, with Cy-Fair pushing forward for goals and dealing with heavy legs, there wasn't much she could have done.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65b09e52d347b"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":160164,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/01/IMG_9275.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-160164" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cy-Fair vs. Stratford</figcaption></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":"[player_tooltip player_id='229558' first='Maeve' last='Gotto']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_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":"Cy-Fair","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Imperial SC","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Gotto had a challenging night with so many talented players around her to defend, but did the best she could to keep Cy-Fair in the game. She was very active defensively and used her physical tools to stop plays and protect the center of the field, shutting down what could have been some dangerous Stratford plays. She also played an important role for the Bobcats on the offensive side of the game, initiating some interesting transition plays with her accurate long passes.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65b09e52d353f"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":160163,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/01/IMG_9266.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-160163" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cy-Fair vs. Stratford</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->