Texas HS: Guillen's goal gets Lamar past Bellaire in rivalry game

District play continues to progress in the Texas high school soccer season, as, since the middle of January, teams from all over the Lone Star State began playing their regional rivals for spots in the playoffs.   For another season, Prep Soccer Texas will be following the action closely as it unfolds in the Houston area, attending multiple matches a week and providing the best coverage in the state, with Photo Galleries, Match Reports and Social Media posts that will help increase the exposure of teams and players in the Lone Star State.   On Friday, February 6, we were at Delmar Stadium, in Houston, where the two undefeated teams in District 18, the Lamar Texans and the Bellaire Lady Cardinals, clashed. A first-half goal scored by junior forward Blanca Guillen gave the Texans a 1-0 victory.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Lamar vs. Bellaire - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/02/texas-hs-lamar-vs-bellaire-photos/">Photos</a></li> </ul>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/DUcPI3HjjQ5/?img_index=1 </div></figure>   The game-winning goal was scored in the 22nd minute of the first half, when senior forward Nahomy Portillo sent a long free kick into the box and Guillen beat the defenders to the ball to score. Lamar has a good chance to double their lead in the 12th minute of the second half, when a penalty box was awarded for them due to a handball inside the box, but Portillo's shot went over the crossbar.   Now Lamar are the only undefeated team in the district with five victories. Bellaire are second, with five wins and a loss.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    The junior scored the game-winning goal for Lamar and was very active in the final third for her team. Guillen spent most of the match playing more centrally, as a second forward, but also spent some time on the right wing, and in both spots stood out for her ability to engage in quick combination plays with her teammates, performing first-time passes and immediately moving off the ball. She did very well in the play in which she scored Lamar's goal, as, despite being probably the shortest player on the box, she was the first to get to the ball, reading Portillo's cross accurately and attacking it quickly. Guillen also showed good defensive commitment, registering some tackles and having a good level of effort off the ball.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0039.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-349861" /></figure>    The junior was excellent at shielding Lamar's backline with her physical and high-intensity game. A defensive midfielder, Meisenbach thrived with her positioning and went hard in every duel, overpowering opponents in most of them to walk away with the ball. She was very direct and intentional with her passing, always looking to play the ball forward and get it to the attacking players. Meisenbach also stepped into the final third herself and fired some good shots from outside the box.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0071.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-349879" /></figure>    Portillo was the focal point of Lamar's offense and did very well in stepping outside the box to get on the end of long passes and controlling them, allowing her team to initiate attacking plays in the final third. She was very difficult to dispossess when dribbling the ball in the attacking half, and she also demonstrated great vision to deliver passes over the top of opposing defenders or behind their backs. Portillo was very accurate in set pieces, providing great service and putting Bellaire's goalkeeper to work with dangerous shots. She didn't let her level drop after missing the penalty kick and ended the match with a solid performance.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0070_2e000c.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-349878" /></figure>    The junior was very active in the center of the field, helping Lamar dominate a critical region and control the game. Perry made some good defensive actions, using her body to win duels and being very accurate with her tackles. The midfielder also stood out with her distribution, playing a central role in her team's ball movement and showing calm and confidence to pass her way out of Bellaire's press. Perry's ability to make strong, direct runs in the center of the field and release the ball to the forwards at the right time proved valuable to Lamar and generated nice attacking plays for them, especially in the second half.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0069_d5fc5b.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-349877" /></figure>    Harris was part of Lamar's backline that earned a clean sheet in their most competitive district match so far. She played a couple of different roles for them, switching from central defense to left back, and was very solid on both. Harris was very firm in her defensive actions and was extremely reliable in making stops. The defender also did well on the ball, playing an active role in the team's buildup and showing quality to connect passes and move in the attacking half.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0094.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-349888" /></figure>    The senior had a very strong performance in central defense and helped Bellaire leave the field with only one goal allowed, despite Lamar having the ball in their half for the vast majority of the match. Nichols was very reliable when defending her team's penalty box, winning almost everything in the air and standing out for her positioning and firmness when engaging in duels on the ground. The center back also did well when dragged away from the box, identifying the right moments to step up and doing a good job of keeping opponents under pressure. She also contributed offensively by sending long balls into the box in free kicks.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0059.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-349871" /></figure>    The junior was another piece in Bellaire's backline to have a positive performance and contribute to the team's defensive solidity. A right back, Graham had an interesting duel with Lamar's left winger Kristi Porter, doing a good job of forcing her back and keeping her away from the box. She was always well-positioned and was very good at controlling her zone, not having many issues there. Graham also stood out with long throw-ins that helped get the ball upfield and relieve Lamar's pressure.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0017_ea5b3c.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-349851" /></figure>    The junior was one of Bellaire's most active offensive players. Playing as an attacking midfielder, Baker was an attacking hub for her team, getting on the ball a lot and making good decisions. She didn't keep the ball for too long, quickly releasing it and getting it to the forwards. Baker also offered important defensive contributions to her team, being very quick to identify heavy first touches and dispossess opponents in the center of the field and making defensive plays in front of her team's penalty box.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0081.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-349884" /></figure>

District play continues to progress in the Texas high school soccer season, as, since the middle of January, teams from all over the Lone Star State began playing their regional rivals for spots in the playoffs.