ECNL TX U15: Set pieces take the Dallas Texans past Albion

<p>After a long break during the winter and the high school soccer season, the ECNL Girls League recently returned to action, starting its final stretch before the playoffs and the Finals.</p>   <p>PrepSoccer Texas continues to offer unparalleled coverage of the teams from the Lone Star State that compete in the league, bringing weekly content that includes match and player reports, photo galleries and social media posts.</p>   <p>On Sunday, April 26, we were at Beacon Park, in Melissa, following the U15 match between the [program_tooltip program_id='283311' first='Dallas' last='Texans'] and the Albion Hurricanes. Two goals originated in set pieces gave the Texans what they needed to secure a 2-1 victory.</p>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='283311' first='Dallas' last='Texans'] G11 vs. Albion Hurricanes FC G11 - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/04/ecnl-tx-u15-dallas-texans-vs-albion-hurricanes-photos/">Photos</a></strong></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/DXozqc4jm7-/?img_index=1 </div></figure>   <p>The Texans got their first goal in the 20th minute of play, when midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='350652' first='Kayla' last='Guzman'] found defender [player_tooltip player_id='356415' first='Avery' last='Cavrich'] on the back post in a corner kick and she sent the ball into the back of the net. The home team doubled its lead in the 16th minute of the second half in another corner kick, this one taken by midfielder Zoe Zepeda and headed home by forward [player_tooltip player_id='350766' first='Bryleigh' last='Shaul']. Forward Samantha Bunting scored Albion's only goal in the match in the 20th minute of the second half, and it was a beautiful one - she won the ball just outside her own box after a corner kick and drove it across the entire field before firing a left-footed shot.</p>   <p>The Texans appear in tenth place in the Texas Conference after their victory with 13 points (three wins, six losses, four ties). Albion are 15th with six points (one win, ten losses, three ties).</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Match</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Cavrich scored the first goal in the Texans' victory and delivered a strong performance for them at the right back spot. She was very solid defensively and dominated her zone with strong actions - she managed to stop some long passes with headers and was very firm to win duels on the ground. Cavrich also did well when supporting the team's offense, driving the ball upfield on the right and combining with her teammates. The outside back showed great positioning inside the box in corner kicks, picking a spot near the back post, and had the ball coming her way a few times there, scoring a goal and firing a pair of dangerous shots from there.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0039_80dc93.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-356391" /></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Guzman played different roles in midfield for the Texans and managed to make an impact on both with her remarkable technical skills. Either playing a little bit deeper, as a center midfielder, or closer to the forwards, she demonstrated great vision and made an impact in possession. Guzman delivered excellent passes in the final third and helped create goalscoring opportunities for her team, while also doing well when operating in tight spaces. The midfielder also did well with her set-piece deliveries and assisted in the first goal off a corner kick.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0036_5d404f.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-356390" /></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">A center forward, Shaul scored the game-winning goal for the Texans and was the focal point of their offense. She used her body very well to control the space inside and around the penalty box and created many problems for Albion's defenders with her game. Shaul was very good at making turns on defenders and created some good opportunities for herself and her teammates with her quick moves. She was excellent in her goal, losing her defender and finding the ball with a quick step to the right and heading the ball into the corner, and had another opportunity to score on a header, sending the ball over the posts.</p>    <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/DXmft5YEflG/ </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Henning anchored the Texans' defensive system in a solid performance against Albion. A left-sided center back, she was very quick to move for the ball, dispossessing opponents with clean, timely tackles, but also played hard when she had to, making strong actions to stop them. The center back won basically every duel she got into, and the only goal conceded by her team happened in a transition play when she was in the attacking penalty box for a corner kick. Henning also showed quality and calmness on the ball, efficiently leading the team's buildup.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0057_bbc2de.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-356400" /></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Ivie's calming presence in the center of the field was extremely valuable for the Texans as they secured an important home win. The midfielder was heavily involved in her team's game in possession and took great care of the ball, not only helping them keep control of the game but also creating chances. Ivie made excellent choices every time she had the ball, attempting passes in the final third when she saw an opportunity and remaining patient to circulate the ball when Albion's defense was well-organized. She also helped on defense, showing good energy to fight for the ball in the center of the field.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0070_5cffff.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-356407" /></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Dawson was one of the most consistent and efficient players on Albion's side of the field. She occupied the wide spots very well, spending time at both outside back and wide midfielder, and was very solid defensively, forcing the Texans to play more centrally as she dominated her zone. Besides her great defensive work, Dawson also did well in possession, delivering accurate passes down the line from the left back spot. She got more involved in the team's offense when she moved into midfield and made some good plays on the flank in the second half when her team looked for an equalizer.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0012_f7e4db.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-356379" /></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Okoye was Albion's most advanced player on the field and did well considering the lack of service she got. The forward would at times get long passes surrounded by multiple defenders and, if she couldn't create chances on most of her attempts, she at least managed to keep possession as her teammates moved upfield. Okoye made a smart run in Bunting's goal, drifting away from her teammates and forcing the Texans' defender to commit to one of them. She had a good run down the right later in the match and sent a cross just a little too long for Bunting that could have tied the match.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/2J4A0069_1cce66.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-356406" /></figure>

After a long break during the winter and the high school soccer season, the ECNL Girls League recently returned to action, starting its final stretch before the playoffs and the Finals.