TX: Jordan and Seven Lakes even in big district match

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.   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 Friday, January 24, we caught an exciting duel between two of the top teams in Division 6A - District 19 in Fulshear, the Jordan Warriors and the two-time defending state champions Seven Lakes Spartans   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/01/texas-hs-boys-jordan-vs-seven-lakes-photos/">Photos: Jordan vs. Seven Lakes</a></li> </ul>   Playing at home, Jordan drew the first blood, with senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='15750' first='Aiden' last='Erol'] getting on the end of a cross coming from a free kick to send the ball into the back of the net. The Spartans then settled into the match and tied with substitute senior outside back Jesus Prado, who appeared inside the penalty box to collect a loose ball and scored. Still before the end of the first half, junior Josh Taylor received a nice pass inside the penalty box and sent it home, putting the defending champions ahead.   The scenario was similar for most of the second half, but Jordan pushed forward in the final minutes and got their equalizer. Erol fired a powerful shot in a medium-range free kick, Seven Lakes' junior goalkeeper Tomas Garcia stopped it, but the rebound found junior midfielder Ay Osague, who leveled the score.   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">An electric final 30 seconds as <a href="https://twitter.com/KatyJordanBSoc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KatyJordanBSoc</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/SLsoccer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SLsoccer</a> tie 2-2. Photos and Match Report up soon at <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepSoccerTX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepSoccerTX</a>. <a href="https://t.co/qOhmejm1VE">pic.twitter.com/qOhmejm1VE</a>— Guilherme Torres (@grtorres) <a href="https://twitter.com/grtorres/status/1882989317662085229?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2025</a></blockquote>   The results put Jordan in fourth place in district play with two wins and two ties and their season record at 6-0-3. Seven Lakes are in first place with three wins and one tie and got their first tie of the season, to go with eight wins.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    Jordan's senior forward was certainly the most influential player on the field, having direct participation in both of his team's goals. It was a night of tough battles for Erol, who was isolated up top at times and had to fight multiple Seven Lakes defenders as his team tried to hit them on the counter. He tried a little bit of everything, spending some time out wide and most of the second half in more of a central position and, despite the difficulties, he still managed to create chances. Erol moved very well to find the ball in the team's first goal and hit a great shot in the play that generated the second. He also displayed great effort on the field and positively influenced his teammates.    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Goal <a href="https://twitter.com/KatyJordanBSoc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@katyjordanbsoc</a> ! [player_tooltip player_id='15750' first='Aiden' last='Erol'] gets on the end of a free kick cross and scores for the home team. 1-0 <a href="https://t.co/NRPiG7CflH">pic.twitter.com/NRPiG7CflH</a>— Guilherme Torres (@grtorres) <a href="https://twitter.com/grtorres/status/1882969892930138294?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2025</a></blockquote>    Martinez was among Jordan's most productive and consistent players. Used as a central midfield, he did a solid two-way job in the game, appearing well on both sides of the ball. Even though Seven Lakes dominated the central area of the field for most of the game, Martinez worked hard to stop their plays there. He also displayed good quality on the ball, using quick moves to keep possession and connecting good passes.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/01/2J4A0041.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-277778" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Jordan vs. Seven Lakes</figcaption></figure>    Bucic led the Warriors backline against a strong Seven Lakes offense and it's probably fair to say that he won more duels than he lost in the match. The junior used his size very well to protect the penalty box, winning most of the aerial duels he was involved and blocking what could have been dangerous shots from Seven Lakes attackers. Bucic also did well when he had to defend in space, keeping up with the Spartans' dynamic attacking players and keeping them away from the penalty box.     Osague came off the bench on both halves and did a good job of helping Jordan compete more in the center of the field. A very physical player, he made the team more solid defensively and helped to close the space that was being targeted by their opponents. The midfielder also did a nice job on the ball, showing great efficiency with his passing. He was rewarded with his great positioning in the attacking penalty box and helped his tam avoid a home defeat by scoring the second goal.    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Goal <a href="https://twitter.com/KatyJordanBSoc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KatyJordanBSoc</a> ! <a href="https://twitter.com/ay_osague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ay_osague</a> picks up the rebound of [player_tooltip player_id='15750' first='Aiden' last='Erol']'s free kick and ties the game. 2-2 <a href="https://t.co/qNXsmkPXA6">pic.twitter.com/qNXsmkPXA6</a>— Guilherme Torres (@grtorres) <a href="https://twitter.com/grtorres/status/1882986316427939904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2025</a></blockquote>    A new face with Seven Lakes this season, Sorto had somewhat of a slow start to the match as it seemed he was finding the best spot for him to play. The talented midfielder became way more active after the first 20 minutes, when he started to help his team control the midfield with smart passing and good connections with his teammates. In the second half, Sorto was at his best, getting the ball from the center backs to initiate plays and appearing as an option in the final third to create chances. He also did a good job with his set pieces and contributed defensively.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/01/2J4A0038_4705a3.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-277776" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Jordan vs. Seven Lakes</figcaption></figure>    Formerly a defender, Taylor has adjusted well to his new position as a forward and was one of Seven Lakes' most dangerous players in the match. He contributed in many different ways up front, making good plays on the wings and also playing more centrally and working with his back to the goal. Taylor's high-energy game tormented Jordan's defenders as he was relentless in every duel or when he had to chase long passes. The junior made an excellent diagonal run to score the team's first goal and displayed calm and composure in front of the opposing goalkeeper.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/01/2J4A0035_5a130d.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-277775" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Jordan vs. Seven Lakes</figcaption></figure>    The junior formed a strong center-back duo with senior [player_tooltip player_id='16578' first='Noah' last='Peterson'] as the two displayed great chemistry and were very successful in keeping Jordan's attackers away from the penalty box - both of their goals originated in long-distance free kicks. Saggiomo was matched with Jordan's dangerous forward Erol on some occasions and didn't allow him much space to create chances. The center back also did a very good job in possession, appearing comfortable on the ball and holding onto it until a good passing opportunity appeared.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/01/2J4A0023.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-277769" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Jordan vs. Seven Lakes</figcaption></figure>    Gonzalez was very active in the final third and took part in most of the Spartans' offensive attempts. He spent time at the striker, the wings and the No. 10 roles and always did a good job of moving to find the ball. Gonzalez displayed great vision and, when he had a little bit of space on the ball, he managed to connect intelligent passes that found his teammates in good spots in the final third. Even though he didn't have a good chance inside the penalty box to decide the match, the junior still made a big impact on his team's offense.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/01/2J4A0026_248c58.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-277770" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Jordan vs. Seven Lakes</figcaption></figure>

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.