ECNL TX U17: Solar Academy beat HTX on the road

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The ECNL Boys League has had an exciting couple of months in its 2026-2027 season, as the best teams in the league get on the field to face their regional rivals in Conference Play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Texas Conference is one of the strongest in the entire country, and Prep Soccer Texas will be following the season as it unfolds, supporting the Lone Star State teams with high-level coverage that will include match reports, photo galleries and social media posts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Sunday, October 18, we were at Bear Branch Soccer Fields in The Woodlands, where hosts HTX faced Solar SC Academy in a matchup in the U17 age group. It was a competitive game that ended with Solar prevailing 2-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>HTX U17 vs. Solar SC Academy U17 - <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/10/ecnl-tx-u17-htx-vs-solar-academy-photos/">Photos</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/Derjdb-lGeU/?img_index=1","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} --> <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/Derjdb-lGeU/?img_index=1 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Solar opened their account in the 41st minute of the first half, when Madox Lener found [player_tooltip player_id='415415' first='Kris' last='Paredes'] in the box, and the midfielder hit a beautiful shot into the upper corner. HTX equalized in the 52nd minute in a quick free-kick routine, in which [player_tooltip player_id='415422' first='Dennis' last='Rojas'] assisted midfielder Stefano Riveros. Solar's game-winning goal was scored in the 73rd minute in a play set up by Paredes on the right and finished by forward [player_tooltip player_id='415416' first='Johnny' last='Benavidez'] inside the box. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players of the Game</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["415415"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad635e6b13fa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Paredes was involved in both Solar goals and had a central role in the team's game from the midfield. He was very active on both sides of the ball and brought an interesting mix of quality on the ball and intensity with his play. Paredes moved the ball well and consistently supported the offense, helping set up plays. He found great ways to infiltrate the box from the right side of Solar's attack and made a pair of decisive plays there, firing a beautiful shot to score the team's first goal and assisting Benavidez in the second one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":415409,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0095.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-415409" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["415416"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad635e6b145c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Benavidez stood out for his high work rate and tremendous energy up top for Solar. The forward moved all over the attacking half to get on the ball and showed a solid and versatile game, working well with his back to the goal and also making runs out wide. Benavidez demonstrated good presence inside the box to score the game-winning goal, moving very well off the ball and finishing Paredes' cross with a first-time shot. He found more space to make plays behind HTX's backline late in the second half and was consistently dangerous playing on the left side of Solar's attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":415379,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0016_61f51c.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-415379" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["349145"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad635e6b14a9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bernal did a good job of shielding Solar's backline and had a big impact in the team's play from the defensive midfielder spot. Always well positioned and firm on the tackle, he stopped many HTX plays through the center and provided important coverage for the other midfielders to push forward. Bernal also supported Solar's buildup by being an option for the defenders and helping them move the ball upfield. His passing was always clean and efficient, and he had a very high accuracy rate when in possession.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":415381,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0018_3760bd.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-415381" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["415419"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad635e6b14f4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Serna stood out in Solar's backline, playing on the right side of their back three. He showed a very strong defensive game, using his size, athleticism and positioning to consistently make stops. Serna did well in the air and in physical duels, but also showed excellent mobility to track opponents when he had to defend in space. The center back was very calm and composed on the ball and was very effective in possession, taking the ball forward when he had the space and connecting accurate short and long passes out of the back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":415385,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0028_ba4e5e.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-415385" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["415422"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad635e6b1546"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rojas was HTX's most influential player, leading the team from the center of their midfield. The left-footed playmaker had a very high intensity rate, covering a lot of ground and appearing in different zones of the field. Rojas moved the ball very well, was very successful at beating opponents in tight spaces and constantly appeared in the final third to fire shots from outside the box and deliver final passes. He was very intelligent at assisting Riveros in HTX's goal when everyone expected him to attempt a direct shot in a free kick just a few steps outside the box.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":415386,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0031_6b7a8a.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-415386" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["415423"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad635e6b1591"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Aaron was HTX's most dangerous attacking player in the match and demanded a lot from Solar's backline to contain him. Combining good size and excellent pace, the forward was very difficult to stop when he got going, making quick turns to get a head start on defenders. Aaron moved very well off the ball and used his ability to make runs to consistently be an option for his teammates in the final third. He got very close to scoring, hitting the post with a powerful shot right at the start of the match and having a headed goal called off due to an offside in the second half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":415395,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/10/2J4A0058.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-415395" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->