Texas HS State Tournament Preview: 5A Boys

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The big moment has arrived in the University Interscholastic League (UIL) Texas High School soccer season as, after almost four months of action, we're set to crown the 2024 state champions in the Lone Star State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Only four of the hundreds of teams that started the season with title aspirations in each of the six divisions still stand and they will battle this week in Georgetown, with matches taking place at Birkelbach Field from Wednesday to Sunday in the State Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The best of the best will be action over the next few days and we've prepared previews for each division to get you ready to follow the climax of high school soccer in the state of Texas this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Division 5A Boys</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinals - Thursday, April 11</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5:00 pm - Glenn (Region 4) vs. Wakeland (Region 2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7:30 pm - Midlothian (Region 1) vs. Goose Creek Memorial (Region 3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Championship Game - Saturday, April 13</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1:30 pm - Winner of Semifinal #1 vs. Winner of Semifinal #2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Previews</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Midlothian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers from Midlothian have taken the program to the State Tournament this season for the first time. They were the best team in Region 1, going undefeated to win District 8 and producing a campaign of 23 wins, two losses and three ties during the season, with 108 goals scored and 28 conceded. In the postseason, Midlothian got wins over Grapevine, Northwest, Saginaw, Monterey and Burges.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong> Caden Naizer (senior midfielder), Ayden Hildreth (junior forward) and Landon Exley (senior forward)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/midlo_bsoccer/status/1776445732821553440","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/midlo_bsoccer/status/1776445732821553440 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wakeland</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wolverines from Frisco are back at the State Tournament after missing out last year, but are a force in the state, with five titles (2010, 2017, 2018, 2021 and 2022) and nine appearances. Wakeland stood out in Region 2, prevailing in District 9 and booking their tickets to Georgetown with a campaign of 18 wins, five losses and three ties (with 61 goals scored and 17 allowed). Their opponents during the playoffs were Liberty, Poteet, Walnut Grove, McKinney North and West Mesquite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='15741' first='Adrian' last='Rodrigues'] (senior goalkeeper), [player_tooltip player_id='16741' first='Thomas' last='Hayes'] (senior midfielder) and [player_tooltip player_id='16247' first='Jack' last='Minsky'] (junior forward)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/WakeSoccer/status/1776712399074000964","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/WakeSoccer/status/1776712399074000964 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Goose Creek Memorial</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Patriots from Baytown will appear in the State Tournament for the first time in a historic 2024 season. Goose Creek Memorial will represent District 3 in Georgetown after they ranked first in District 17 and continued to progress with a campaign of 21 wins, three losses and two ties - their offense produced 105 goals while the defense allowed just 23. In the playoffs, the Patriots knocked Santa Fe, Fulshear, Galena Park, Waco University and Magnolia West.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong> Luis Gonzalez (junior midfielder), Isaac Paramo (junior midfielder) and Carlos Gonzalez (senior forward)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/_gcmsoccer/status/1653761796015022080","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/_gcmsoccer/status/1653761796015022080 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Glenn</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Grizzlies from Leander are another team set to appear in the State Tournament for the first time. They were in great form all season in Region 4, going undefeated to win District 25 and continuing this way until they arrive in Georgetown, having amassed 29 wins and one tie, with 95 goals scored and 14 conceded. Their march in the playoffs included duels with Canyon, Harlandale, Piper, Flour Bluff and Brownsville Lopez.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:</strong> Keller Marchant (junior goalkeeper), Ayden Leiva (senior midfielder) and Armando Don Juan (junior forward)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/GrizzFC/status/1776703647885234308","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/GrizzFC/status/1776703647885234308 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->