TX Playoffs: Forwards decide and Tomball Memorial beat Cy Ranch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high school soccer season finally got to the playoffs in the state of Texas and in just over three weeks, new state champions will be crowned in the Lone Star State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Soccer Texas continues to follow the action in the postseason and we were at the Cypress ISD Stadium on Friday, March 21, when the Tomball Memorial Wildcats counted on the firepower of their attacking players to defeat the Cypress Ranch Mustangs 4-2 in the bi-district round.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In one of the first plays of the match, Tomball Memorial benefited from a wrong Cy Ranch in their own half to score as senior Nadia Elhaimer found freshman Olivia Wheeler, who fired a shot into the upper corner. A few minutes later, senior Allie Baker fought for a long ball in the attacking half and shot from an unlikely angle to score the second. Cy Ranch got one back in the final minutes of the first half, when sophomore Isabella Lidanski found senior Lauren Buerger with a through ball and she crossed for fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='54872' first='Kamrynn' last='Davis'] to score with a tap-in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elhaimer became the third different Tomball Memorial forward to score when, at the start of the second half, she dispossessed a Cy Ranch in the final third and calmly sent the ball into the back of the net. The Wildcats increased their lead to 4-1 with junior Bella Walker, who was assisted by sophomore Grace Bourgeois. Cy Ranch scored another one, with Davis assisting junior Edie Dispensa, who scored with a left-footed shot, but couldn't react in the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The final whistle blows as <a href="https://twitter.com/TMHSVarSoccer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TMHSVarSoccer</a> beat <a href="https://twitter.com/CRHSLadySoccer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CRHSLadySoccer</a> 4-2 in the bi-district round of the playoffs. The Wildcats play either The Woodlands or Aldine next. Match Report dropping later tonight at <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepSoccerTX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepSoccerTX</a>. <a href="https://t.co/LjTMBO3Ok1">pic.twitter.com/LjTMBO3Ok1</a></p>&mdash; Guilherme Torres (@grtorres) <a href="https://twitter.com/grtorres/status/1903238968025456753?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the victory, Tomball Memorial advance to the area round of the playoffs, where they will play The Woodlands. </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":"Nadia Elhaimer","_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":"Tomball Memorial","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Challenge SC","_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-67de1eb526835"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The senior was the focal point of Tomball Memorial's attack and worked very well as their offensive reference, helping the team create and finish chances. Elhaimer's positioning was more central, but she moved a lot in the final third and did a great job of getting involved in the team's playmaking by dropping deeper to get on the ball. She was excellent in assisting Wheeler for the team's first goal as she timed her pass extremely well and found her teammate onside. Elhaimer was always very calm in front of the goal and also did a good job of pressing opposing defenders, getting her goal in one of those plays as she won the ball in the final third and drove it into the penalty box to finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67de1eb5268a8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing at the base of Tomball Memorial's midfield, the sophomore was huge for them and had a major role in their strong performance. With Cypress Ranch playing long for most of the match, Boedeker did an excellent job of reading their passes and intercepting them before they crossed the midfield line, on many occasions getting the ball to a teammate in the attacking half. Her passing was flawless during the entire time as she was very smart to play quickly through the middle and also fed the attackers with accurate long balls in transition. Boedecker also had a strong presence in the attacking half and hit the crossbar twice, the first of them with a header and the second in one of the many dangerous long-distance shots she attempted.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/MollyElder_10?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MollyElder_10</a> with the great left-footed corner kick deliver and <a href="https://twitter.com/miaboedeker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@miaboedeker</a> heads it into the crossbar. <a href="https://t.co/DAtWzpEoVF">pic.twitter.com/DAtWzpEoVF</a></p>&mdash; Guilherme Torres (@grtorres) <a href="https://twitter.com/grtorres/status/1903227956593303653?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 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":"Allier Barker","_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":"Tomball Memorial","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='278052' first='Albion' last='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-67de1eb52693b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The senior was another interesting offensive weapon for Tomball Memorial in the match and scored one of the team's goals. Barker spent more time on the left, but played in all three positions up top and was a constant threat to Cypress Ranch's backline. Her game was particularly valuable for the Wildcats in the second half, when the Mustangs pushed forward and they had space to explore in transition - she made some great diagonal runs from the left to get on the end of the long balls the midfielders sent. Barker also worked hard during the entire match and scored her goal in a hustle play as she continued to track a long pass that seemed closer to an opposing defender before she won the ball and finished.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/TMHSVarSoccer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TMHSVarSoccer</a> with a good transition play here but <a href="https://twitter.com/brooke_rest30?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@brooke_rest30</a> comes up with the clutch tackle. <a href="https://t.co/cxYYPhRaHp">pic.twitter.com/cxYYPhRaHp</a></p>&mdash; Guilherme Torres (@grtorres) <a href="https://twitter.com/grtorres/status/1903232235278397454?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["226009"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67de1eb52698b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The junior orchestrated Tomball Memorial's midfield play with great intelligence and tremendous quality on the ball. Elder connected extremely well with fellow midfielders Amelya Boedecker and Bella Lopez and knew the exact times to find the forwards with longer passes. Her set pieces deliveries were always very good and she was great at taking corner kicks with her left foot with incredible precision. Elder also appeared well to finish chances around and inside the penalty box and fired some dangerous shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/MollyElder_10?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MollyElder_10</a> with the shot but <a href="https://twitter.com/alexis0crawford?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@alexis0crawford</a> catches it. <a href="https://t.co/lryPwN707a">pic.twitter.com/lryPwN707a</a></p>&mdash; Guilherme Torres (@grtorres) <a href="https://twitter.com/grtorres/status/1903214363370209491?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["167217"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67de1eb5269d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The sophomore played a key tactical role for Tomball Memorial as she lined up at right back and defended Cypress Ranch's dangerous winger [player_tooltip player_id='54872' first='Kamrynn' last='Davis'] individually. Even though her opponent ended the match with a goal and an assist, Reef still succeeded in her mission as she was great at staying close to Davis the entire time and got many interceptions, not allowing her opponent to get the ball in space. On most of the occasions that the winger managed to get on the ball, the right back was very good at keeping her away from the penalty box and not allowing her many options. Reef also pushed forward when she had a chance and sent some nice crosses into the penalty box.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["54872"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67de1eb526a1f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The senior was Cypress Ranch's main attacking option during the match and, despite Reef's solid defending, still managed to produce a goal and an assist. Davis didn't have many opportunities to make her trademark runs on the ball down the line, but made some diagonal runs through the middle, which were stopped by Tomball Memorial's defenders. She used her great movement off the ball to escape from Reef and get on the end of Lauren Buerger's cross on the far post to score the team's first goal. In her assist, she displayed calm on the ball in the final third and great precision with her delivery.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Goal <a href="https://twitter.com/CRHSLadySoccer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CRHSLadySoccer</a> ! <a href="https://twitter.com/buerger_lauren?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@buerger_lauren</a> sends cross in and <a href="https://twitter.com/DavisKamrynn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DavisKamrynn</a> gets to the end of it to score. 1-2 <a href="https://t.co/PWyNjjKRTw">pic.twitter.com/PWyNjjKRTw</a></p>&mdash; Guilherme Torres (@grtorres) <a href="https://twitter.com/grtorres/status/1903222678879928453?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 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":"Isabella Lidanski","_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":"5'3u0022","_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":"Cypress Ranch","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Challenge SC","_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-67de1eb526aa9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The sophomore didn't have the best conditions to operate, as Cypress Ranch insisted on playing long, bypassing her in midfield, but did good things when she did get on the ball. Lidanski was always closely defended by opposing midfielders, but when she had a little bit of space, she managed to show great vision and quality on the ball. That was the case in her team's first goal, when she found Lauren Buerger open on the right with an inch-perfect through ball. Lidanski lined up on the right side of the Mustangs' offense during the second half as the team tried to push forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->