watash

Congratulations to Coach Steve Hernandez and the girls. A job well done

funny

For the girls, it appears to me that the North squad is stronger. I'll pick them. But you still have to play the game. Looks like 10 girls who, at one time or another, have played for Hughes' SSSC team. Several on the South including Emily but not as many. These selections highlight where most of the top talent in this area received their training.

better than Matt Kirby? I think Kirby was faster which is always a factor. No disrespect to Parker who is a great player and deserving of his awards, just curious

Sportzgirl, PNG's cancellation of the scheduled game and inability to reschedule was significant to me because it deprived local fans of watching what I believe were the two best teams (WB included here) in the area play. Personally, I would have enjoyed watching how the Super Gold players of the year for the last two years and the other talented PNG players fared against the four Kelly Super Gold selections and their teammates and vice versa. The games I prefer and want to see, win or lose, are closely matched teams where the margin of win or lose is very thin. To me, these games are much better for the players and the fans than large margin victories where the game is decided well before half time. Such a match, an actual game, would have allowed the fans of this area to watch the determination of who was the best team on the playing field and via scoreboard rather than speculation and internet posts. For instance, who do you think was the better team this year, PNG or Kelly? See what I mean.

I am always intrigued by posters on this blog who hide their profile so they can post under the cloak of anominity. Let's start with what we can agree upon. One reporter, in her first year in the area, completely unfamiliar with the select scene, who must watch games at all levels over the Triangle, with lots of confusing input from parents and coaches, is primarily responsible for the Super Gold selections. Given the limitations, I thought Gina and Bmt Ent. did an acceptable job and one of their responsibilities is to sell papers by involving as many readers as possible. Natalie, the MVP, and the other selections were all deserving even if you would personally have rated or placed them differently. Aaron Strawser would have been a great choice for MVP. She is obviously extremely talented otherwise the largest university in the state would not be offering her a scholarship. Personally, my MVP would have been Madeline Horning at Kelly. My other strong difference with the selections would have placed keeper Bailey Fontenot on the first team although Stacy Dolan is talented.  Most of the current players owe some or all of their success to the efforts of Mike Hughes, Steve Hernandez and the other Spindletop volunteers who provide opportunities for most of these selections to improve their abilities outside of their school programs. I know those of us affiliated with Kelly were disappointed that PNG cancelled its scheduled game with Kelly and declined to reschedule depsite several offers by Coach Burdick to do so. Similarly, I am unclear of whether Newbie's reference to "spankings" is to games or scrimmages since WB usually will not schedule a game with Kelly but scrimmages only. In fact, the only time they have played an actual game in the last 6 yrs+ was a Kelly sponsored tournament. In that one game, 3 yrs ago, WB prevailed by a single goal which you would locigally expect from a large 5A school with 1000+ girls compared to one with an enrollment of approximately 200 girls. Earlier this year, Newbie seemed to be offended when I discussed he results of the WB/Kelly scrimmage as if it meant more to one team than the other. Is his post now saying that WB will actually schedule a GAME with Kelly next year? Perhaps playing tougher preseason games would help WB win more than one game in the playoffs beyond clubbing the seals on their districit schedule. For this year, rather than future predictions, all that can be said is the in GAMES, with the one common opponent, Kelly beat Clear Springs and WB went home. I think that description is called "Scoreboard".

Congratulations to Natalie and her family, her PNG team and her Spindletop club team. Another successful member of a Mike Hughes team. The honor is obviously well deserved and the result of dedication and hard work.

Congrats to Bailey. I look forward to your success at Lamar. Those of us who have watched you play over the years are so proud of you. Again, another direct result of the efforts of Mike Hughes with youth soccer at Spindletop. IMO, Bailey is the best goalie in SETX. Dolan at WB and O'Neal at Kelly are possibly as promising but younger.

I did not think Midway would be beat. Frisco must be very good. What great games:Friendswood vs. Midway, Midway vs. Frisco. Wish I could have seen them. For that matter, I would like to watch the 4A and 5A state tournament each year.

Obviously reading this thread late but wanted to congratulate WB on a fine season. By the way Newbie, Kelly beat Clear Springs and Fort Bend Austin in back to back games in the Woodlands tournament this year.

This is a great honor and the product of many hours of hard work. Congratulations to Kaitlyn and her parents and teammates. Good luck

This debate will always continue, i.e. how many goals should a single player be allowed to score in a blow out game, should a team ever keep scoing until it has a double digit victory, can you beat a team as badly as you can as long as it is your substitutes doing it in the second half? Writers note: I am not sure a 10-0 soccer score is worse than a 106-16 basketball score. In fact, I think not. I have written before that goal scoring stats in soccer tend to be over-emphasized. One reason is because it is difficult to keep many other stats other than assists and saves. Girls who play up front should and will score more because of their positional location. When you play on a good team with lots of mismatches, the forward scores a lot. This focus tends to diminsh or overlook the contributions of defenders and midfielders who must work the ball to the forward. And yes, I said the same in the past when my daughter played forward and scored quite a bit before moving to the midfield this year. Unfortunately, girls high school soccer does not enjoy a lot of depth in this area. Double digit scores are not going to prepare any team for tough playoff games. As much as I would like to see PNG advance, the Ozen game probably did not help them improve toward that goal. By the way, the best scorers and best players in this area are that way primarily because they have trained with the Spindletop Club to devlop their skills. Everyone on this thread should tip their hat to Coach Mike Hughes and the trainers at SSSC. And yes, I realize i just addressed 3 separate threads in a single post. Easier that way. I am retiring as a poster of the soccer board. Good bye and good luck.

Kelly...........2  4  6 Urusuline.....3  4  7 Kelly goals: Jillian Ryall(2) Yasmine Afshar, Tara Austin, Zuri Prince, Claire Dykeman Kelly assists: Madeline Horning(2) Afshar, Prince Kelly saves: Stephanie O'Neal(7) Kelly season record: 12-5 This match was played on Ursuline's home field in Dallas. The Bears have six seniors who have earned college soccer scholarships including schools in the Big 12, Big East and SEC. They also start at least two underclassmen who will play major D-1 soccer. Ursuline has won 21 private school state championships in a row and are annually considered one of the best teams in the state and country. For Braveheart fans, they are 10 feet tall and spew fire. Your Lady Dawgs went to the lion's den. It was a gorgeous day for soccer. Forty degrees at game time with a clear sky and little wind. Oh my, what a privelege to witness for the fans who made the trip. Caoch Brittney Burdick had the girls ready to play. Unintimidated by the atmosphere, Kelly drew first blood when Freshman Jillian Ryall scord off a long, high cross from Zuri Prince. We then witnessed the machine which is Ursuline. They attacked and attacked and scored the next 3 goals in 30 minutes. The Bears switch the field and play up the sides with crosses to the middle as well as any high school team which you will see. They use multiple substitution players and are as deep as they are talented. Kelly was clearly on its heels until 38 minutes when Caitlin Quinn was thrown to the ground in the box and Yasmine Afshar put a penalty kick in the corner of the net. Kelly goalie Stephanie O'Neal finished with 7 saves, most of which were in the first half. 3-2 Ursuline at the break. Each team scored 4 goals in the second half and Ursuline ultimately prevailed 7-6. Kelly's next goal was a tactical header from Tara Austin off a Madeline Horning corner kick with Claire Dykeman sealing off the Bear goalie. Ryall score again with a sweet crossover move in front of the goal but the Lady Dawgs trailed 7-4 at 75 minutes. Kelly never quit playing hard all game long. Seniors and long-time teammates  Prince and Dykeman each scored in the last five minutes to make it 7-6. I guarantee you that Ursuline was relieved when time expired. Those who were fortunate enough to witness this effort were rewarded by a great effort from a group of girls who left everything on the field. The only thing else which I can say is "Thank You" to the six seniors on this team. The memories you have created will last a lifetime. Yasmine Afshar, Claire Dykeman, Jenny Hernandez, Madeline Horning, Teilor Long and Zuri Prince lettered for 4 years. It has been a honor to watch them play.

Awesome. Wish I could have seen the game. Doesn't get any better or more exciting than that. Congratulations to the Dawgs. Great job SharkF. I could not be happier for your team. State baby. Go win. Fortuna Favet Audaci

Unfortunately, I am about to be out of the soccer board posting business. I will simply not be involved enough to feel knowledgable on input. For Girls, Sharkstooth's list looks good to me. Would have liked to see PNG and WB play to settle the #2 and #3 issue and Kelly vs. PNG as well but that is a perfect world. Good luck to all area teams. If your daughter plays, enjoy it becasue I promise you the time will fly.