ECNL Girls TX: Challenge SC 08 vs. Sting Austin 08

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The ECNL Girls League is back to action in the Texas Conference after the conclusion of the high school season in the Lone Star State and teams are back on the field for the spring season, which will lead to the Playoffs in June and the Finals in July.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Soccer Texas will pick up where it left off before the break and will continue covering matches of the League, bringing photos and analysis for each of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Sunday, April 21, I was at the Matias Almeyda Training Center, in Houston, where Challenge SC G08 faced Sting Austin G08.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/04/ecnl-girls-tx-challenge-sc-08-vs-sting-austin-08-photos/">ECNL Girls TX: Challenge SC 08 vs. Sting Austin 08 - Photos</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Challenge SC 1 - 3 Sting Austin</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playing at home, Challenge dominated the early portion of the match, but Sting scored first, after an attempt to clear the ball from a Challenge defender hit a teammate, sending it into the back of the net. A few minutes later, another long free kick caused confusion in the penalty box, with [player_tooltip player_id='26983' first='Libby' last='Benson'] getting to the end of it to give Sting a 2-0 lead before halftime.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Challenge got one back with [player_tooltip player_id='112758' first='Kayla' last='Morawietz'] picking up the rebound of a free kick and sending the ball into the back of the net. The hosts made some pressure looking for an equalizer, but [player_tooltip player_id='147179' first='Sarah' last='Mills'] decided the game, making a quick turn on a Challenge defender to score from inside the penalty box and secure the 3-1 win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Performers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["26985"],"_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":"Tetmeyer's presence between the posts created the conditions for Sting's victory as the goalkeeper was huge in helping her team sustain Challenge's pressure in the opening moments. She was particularly important in making saves in a pair of close-range finishes that could have put the hosts in control, showing great reading and reflexes. Tetmeyer continued to use her length well, getting to other shots and controlling the penalty box by catching crosses and corner kicks. There was nothing she could have done to avoid Challenge's goal as the shot was fired from close range and went right into the upper corner.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662695070bfb3"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1782071592412979222","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/1782071592412979222 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["26738"],"_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":"Condon had a very solid match, contributing to Sting's defensive solidness. She displayed great versatility, spending time at both outside back spots, and was very reliable defensively, controlling her area of the field, winning duels and prevailing on most occasions in 1v1 situations. Her presence made it difficult for Challenge to create plays through the wings, forcing them to play more centrally. She also did a good job offensively, picking the right moments to push forward and contributing with her intelligent passing.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662695070c055"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":170997,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/IMG_4102.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-170997" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Challenge SC G08 vs. Sting Austin G08</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["27052"],"_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":"Wiele led Sting's defensive efforts in the match, doing great work in the center of the team's defense with fellow center back [player_tooltip player_id='26491' first='Ashley' last='Perez']. She was very effective at winning the ball on the floor and, despite not being very tall, also held her own in the air. Wiele was huge when Sting had possession, using her excellent passing and vision to strongly contribute to the team's buildup, finding attackers with long passes and outside backs with accurate diagonals. Her ability to send the ball into the penalty box from anywhere was also of great importance as two of the three goals scored by her team started with long free kicks taken by her.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662695070c0eb"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/MiaWiele/status/1782569132153602076","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/MiaWiele/status/1782569132153602076 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["26628"],"_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":"Eckman had a clean match on both sides of the ball in midfield for Sting. Her presence there helped the team gain control of the match after several minutes of Challenge domination at the start as her high-energy game allowed her team to match the opponent's intensity. Eckman was very active defensively, reading the game well and making smart defensive moves to win possession. Her passing was always reliable too as she at times dropped back to help the center backs in the buildup and on other occasions offered an option further up at the field.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662695070c18c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["147179"],"_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":"Mills spent most of the match battling Challenge physical center backs and had great success with that. Despite being shorter, she did a very good job of getting on the end of long passes and holding the ball until a teammate approached her to combine. Mills also used her pace and great movement off the ball to make diagonal runs from the middle to the flanks, exploring the space behind the outside backs. She combined very well with right winger [player_tooltip player_id='26550' first='Brea' last='Lewis'] and a play between them resulted in the team's third goal, which was scored in a critical moment of the match, with Mills making a quick turn on a defender to beat her and finish from inside the six-yard box.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662695070c207"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":171010,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/IMG_4151.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-171010" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Challenge SC G08 vs. Sting Austin G08</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["27318"],"_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":"Weaver had a good match combining with fellow center back [player_tooltip player_id='112758' first='Kayla' last='Morawietz'] as Sting scored twice in set pieces, with multiple players attacking the penalty box. She was very efficient in the duels she was involved with, denying space to opposing attackers and keeping the pressure on them even when she had to step further up in the field to track them. Weaver's positioning was always on point and helped her make some clearances inside the penalty box. The center back also connected the vast majority of the passes she attempted, having a clean game in possession.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662695070c2a4"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":171002,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/IMG_4127.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-171002" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Challenge SC G08 vs. Sting Austin G08</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["26454"],"_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":"Boedecker was one of the key pieces of Challenge in the match, being very active in midfield. She handled her task of shielding the team's backline very well as Sting had its best goalscoring opportunities coming from wide plays or long balls and won many duels in the middle. Boedecker also did a good job in possession, passing at an excellent rate and connecting well with the players around her. The midfielder also tried to score with shots from distance and was very precise when sending balls into the penalty box.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662695070c330"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":171007,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/IMG_4138.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-171007" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Challenge SC G08 vs. Sting Austin G08</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["112756"],"_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":"Hurley was Challenge's most dangerous player all match, having great success in her offensive attempts. She played as an attacking midfielder and was very involved in the team's chance creation, using her dribbling and passing to make things happen. She did well under pressure, finding ways to get away with the ball, and had some dangerous runs through the middle, playing very directly, beating defenders with her quick moves and finding good passes to her teammates. Hurley was probably the player in the team with the most shots on target and had a great chance to score in the first half, when she hit the post and forced Sting's goalkeeper Tetmeyer to make a big save in the same play.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662695070c39e"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1782067718834864175","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/1782067718834864175 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->