TX: Strong second-half push gives Cinco Ranch the edge over Katy

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>District play is underway in the University Interscholastic League (UIL) high school soccer season in the state of Texas as teams from all over the Lone Star State have now officially started the race for spots in the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Soccer Texas will be following the battle for a place in the postseason in the Houston area, covering multiple matches every week and featuring the top performers in each of them. On Wednesday, January 15, we were in Katy, covering the District 19 duel between the Cinco Ranch Cougars and the Katy Tigers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/01/texas-hs-boys-cinco-ranch-vs-katy-photos/">Photos: Cinco Ranch vs. Katy</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first half started slow, but picked up in the second part, with four goals scored. Katy got on the scoreboard first, with senior [player_tooltip player_id='160679' first='Eli' last='McDaniel'] picking up a deflected free kick shot to score. Cinco Ranch's captain Andres Riera with a beautiful goal from outside the penalty box and a few minutes later another senior, Sebastian Coburn, gave the Cougars the lead, getting on the end of a low cross to shoot into an open net. Senior Alen Music, who started on the bench, sent the teams to the halftime break tied 2-2 with a powerful shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second half was entirely dominated by Cinco Ranch, who got in front at 3-2 with another goal scored by Coburn, this one after a quick combination play through the middle. Riera also got a brace, scoring again from outside the penalty box. With a few minutes to go on the block, the Cougar sealed the deal with a <em>golazo </em>by junior Roan Bruinsma.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The clock runs down as <a href="https://twitter.com/CincoBSoccer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CincoBSoccer</a> secure their first district home win of the season, beating <a href="https://twitter.com/KatyTigerSoccer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KatyTigerSoccer</a> 5-2. Will have photos and a match report up soon at <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepSoccerTX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepSoccerTX</a>. <a href="https://t.co/BJRI1ov7Pw">pic.twitter.com/BJRI1ov7Pw</a></p>&mdash; Guilherme Torres (@grtorres) <a href="https://twitter.com/grtorres/status/1879727249399992503?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the result, Cinco Ranch now have a 1-1 record in district play and are at 3-3-1 for the season. Katy are at 0-1 in District 19 and hold a 5-4 season win record.</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":"Andres Riera","_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":"5'8u0022","_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":"Cinco Ranch","_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6788a5c4c7595"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Originally a winger, Riera is playing a new role with Cinco Ranch this season, operating as a second forward, in more of a central position. The new positioning has gotten him even more involved with the team's chance-creation and also put him in a great spot to finish from outside the box, which he did with great success against Katy, scoring twice in this way. He had a lot of freedom to roam in the final third and made the most of it, consistently appearing in different spots, either more centrally or out wide, to make plays and create chances. Riera, who also registered an assist, was very strong in 1v1 plays, but also connected well with his teammates in the attacking half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":277239,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/01/IMG_4802.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-277239" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cinco Ranch vs. Katy</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":"Sebastian Coburn","_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":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Cinco Ranch","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"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-6788a5c4c763b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Coburn's work rate was truly remarkable and one of the main aspects of Cinco Ranch's game. Playing as a right winger, he played with tremendous intensity and kept the level high during the entire time he was on the field. Coburn made numerous runs behind the backline on the right and did a good job of dropping deeper and dragging a defender with him to create the space for him to explore. He was very smart with his decision-making in the final thrid and always made the right choices, not wasting possession or missing chances. He made a great run off the ball to score an easy goal in the first half and showed calm and quality in front of the goal to score another one in the second. The senior also did strong work off the ball, putting pressure on defenders and forcing turnovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":277232,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/01/IMG_4778.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-277232" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cinco Ranch vs. Katy</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":"Jesus Bravo","_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":"6'0u0022","_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":"Cinco Ranch","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Houston Rangers","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"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-6788a5c4c76c6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bravo played a major role in Cinco Ranch's victory, helping the team control the midfield with his intense game. A very physical player, he occupied the space in front of the team's penalty box very efficiently, winning duels and intercepting passes to win possession. Bravo also did great work in possession, distributing the ball well and helping his team break Katy's pressure. A lefty, Bravo was excellent with his shifts and long passes, having connected most of them and managing to quickly move the ball from one of the field to the other, creating space for his team's wide players to operate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":277228,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/01/IMG_4746.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-277228" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cinco Ranch vs. Katy</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":"Santiago Saa","_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":"5'11u0022","_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":"Cinco Ranch","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"SG1","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"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-6788a5c4c774f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of Cinco Ranch's captains, Saa came off the bench during the first half and his presence on the field helped the team take control of the match. He came in as a left-sided center back and worked very well on both sides of the ball. Saa was very active defensively, making critical interventions inside and around the penalty box, stopping what could have been great chances by their opponents. A lefty, he also added a lot to the team's buildup, which struggled a little bit at the beginning of the match, connecting passes out of the back and making smart shifts that helped the team break pressure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":277226,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/01/IMG_4737.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-277226" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cinco Ranch vs. Katy</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":"Roan Bruinsma","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_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":"Cinco Ranch","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Houston Rangers","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"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-6788a5c4c77e3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Originally a forward, Bruinsma started the match playing center back and, even though he did a solid job there, he became much more productive when Saa came in and he was able to move up top. A physical player, he got into many duels with Katy's defenders and played an important tactical role for his team, getting on the end of long passes and helping keep the ball in the final third. Bruinsma worked more on the left side of Cinco Ranch's offense and he did some nice plays there, including the one in which he scored the team's fifth goal with an incredible shot from outside the penalty box. He had a great opportunity in the first half as well, making a quick run on a defender, but finishing a few inches wide. The forward also registered an assist in the match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":277220,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/01/IMG_4700.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-277220" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cinco Ranch vs. Katy</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":"Alen Music","_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":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Katy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"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-6788a5c4c7872"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Music came off the bench in the first half and helped Katy have their best moment in the match. The senior made several diagonal runs behind Cinco Ranch's backline and created a lot of problems for their opponents, who took a while to adjust to his game. Music's hard work was rewarded with Katy's second goal, which he scored with a powerful shot from outside the penalty box. The forward entered the match in the second half too and, even though he came in with the same intensity, he didn't have much success in his attempts this time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":277244,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/01/IMG_4823.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-277244" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cinco Ranch vs. Katy</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":"Anthony Ayodele","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_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":"Katy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Cedar Stars Rush","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"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-6788a5c4c78f6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ayodele fluctuated between striker and attacking midfielder and was always an important piece in Katy's offensive system. The junior showed great versatility up top, working well with his back to the goal and connecting with his teammates, but also making strong diagonal runs to get the ball behind the backline. Ayodele didn't have a great opportunity to score, but was always involved in the team's playmaking. He won possession in the attacking half on some occasions and in one of them, drew the foul that resulted in the team's first goal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/KatyTigerSoccer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KatyTigerSoccer</a> ‘s <a href="https://twitter.com/anthony_ayo2026?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@anthony_ayo2026</a> serves a great cross into <a href="https://twitter.com/CincoBSoccer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CincoBSoccer</a> ‘s box but the defense clears it. <a href="https://t.co/L7z1bdJQVJ">pic.twitter.com/L7z1bdJQVJ</a></p>&mdash; Guilherme Torres (@grtorres) <a href="https://twitter.com/grtorres/status/1879706121495261409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- 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":"Oscar Murillo","_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":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Katy","_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6788a5c4c7979"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Murillo had a solid shift in midfield with Katy. Playing a box-to-box role, he got on the ball a lot and consistently found good solutions to plays, connecting smart passes. Murillo didn't need much time on the ball, quickly moving it around and connecting with his teammates, especially fellow midfielder Leo Sanchez. He appeared inside the penalty box a couple of times, but had his shots blocked. Murillo also covered ground defensively and played with intensity without the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":277221,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/01/IMG_4705.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-277221" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cinco Ranch vs. Katy</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->