Soccer: Area storylines, scouting report for 2016
By Terrence ThomasJanuary 6, 2016 Updated: January 6, 2016 6:41pm
Express-News staff writer Terrence Thomas previews some of the key questions of the upcoming high school season:
Will this be the year the Alamo Heights girls turn their regular-season dominance into a long playoff run?
The Mules have a combined 41-2-1 record over the past two seasons, outscoring their opponents 205-9. But they’ve suffered heartbreaking losses each time in the playoffs — 2-1 in the second round to Cedar Park Vista Ridge last year, and 1-0 in the regional quarterfinals to Leander Rouse in 2014. With Megan Katona, Raven Guerrero, Christian Olson and Karina Moreno headlining 18 returning letter-winners, Heights appears poised for a breakthrough.
“It’s a little bit challenging, but I think we really helped each other through it,” Katona said of the postseason setbacks. “I think now we’re just ready to come back even harder. It’s really motivational, and I think we’re really going to try to work together and get this thing done.”
Can the Lee boys build off of last year’s resurgence?
The Volunteers finished 14-5-4, claimed a share of their first District 26-6A title since 2010 and advanced to the playoffs for the first time since 2011 in David Rogers’ first season a year ago. With seven returning starters, including All-Area Super Team goalkeeper Victor Rodriguez, a deep playoff run could be in the cards for Lee.
Look for Reagan to again be the Volunteers’ biggest threat in district. The Rattlers advanced to the Region IV-6A tournament in 2015, and welcome back coach Gilbert Villarreal. Villarreal coached at Reagan from 2008-2012, leading the Rattlers to an 83-23-21 record and three regional tournament appearances, before leaving for Steele.
S.A. Christian’s girls won the TAPPS Division II state championship a year ago. What can they do for an encore?
The Lady Lions should be in the running for a repeat title. They return most of their roster from a year ago, including standout goalkeeper Sydney Vickers, Hallie Hausman, Allie Cheney, Anakay Mora, Lauren Ross and Madison Price. Hausman scored 47 goals as a freshman in 2015, including two in the state final.
Scouting report
Boys players to watch
Class 6A
Andrew Beard, Smithson Valley, senior, F
Collin Brandenburg, N.B. Canyon, junior, GK
Marlon Flores-Flores, Brandeis, sophomore, F
Antonio Juarez-Alvarez, Jay, junior, D
Michael Maldonado, Clemens, senior, F
Javier Martinez, Clark, junior, F
J.P. Ortiz, Southwest, senior, F
Jake Peterson, Clark, senior, MF
Victor Rodriguez, Lee, senior, GK
Zach Smith, Johnson, senior, F
Classes 5A-4A
Tyler Childs, Boerne Champion, junior, MF
Miguel De La Torre, La Vernia, junior, F
Ivan De La Mora, Kerrville Tivy, senior, MF/F
Ian Kendrick, Fredericksburg, junior, MF
John Mendoza, Jefferson, senior, F
Tom Pheulpin, Alamo Heights, senior, MF
Alex Quintanilla, Kennedy, senior, GK
Osiel Valdes, Harlandale, senior, F
Private schools
Alan Barr, Antonian, junior, D
Luke Duncan, Central Catholic, senior, GK
Diego Gonzalez, Central Catholic, junior, MF
Girls players to watch
Class 6A
Mary Cardone, MacArthur, senior, GK
Lexy Diaz, Southwest, junior, F
Kyra Falcone, MacArthur, senior, F
Annika Fields, Smithson Valley, senior, D
Gaby Galan, Reagan, senior, MF
Brooke Hanson, New Braunfels, senior, F
Alexia Maldonado, O’Connor, senior, F
Christa Morovitz, Reagan, junior, GK
Tayler Niemeyer, Marshall, senior, F
Samantha Palomino, Brandeis, sophomore, F
Ammber Valverde, Brennan, senior, F
Classes 5A-4A
Catalina Canizalez, Highlands, sophomore, MF
Mackenzie Clark, Medina Valley, sophomore, MF
Ingrid Garcia, Harlandale, sophomore, F
Raven Guerrero, Alamo Heights, senior, MF
Megan Katona, Alamo Heights, senior, F
Melissa Kite, Medina Valley, senior, D
Sydney Von Rosenberg, Boerne Champion, junior, F
Private schools
Sofia Arce, Saint Mary’s Hall, senior, MF
Anne Marie Boeckman, Incarnate Word, junior, F
Allison Dee, Antonian, junior, F
Hallie Hausman, S.A. Christian, sophomore, F
Sophia Mora, Incarnate Word, sophomore, D
Madison Price, S.A. Christian, senior, D
Ashton Rodgers, Boerne Geneva, junior, MF
April Sulaica, Antonian, junior, MF
Sydney Vickers, S.A. Christian, senior, GK
Note: Scouting reports were compiled by Express-News soccer beat writer Terrence Thomas from schools that responded to questionnaires. Not all schools responded.
Key dates
Thursday: First day for UIL matches
Feb. 16: TAPPS playoffs begin
Feb. 26-27: TAPPS state tournament
March 24: UIL playoffs begin
April 8-9: UIL regional tournaments
April 13-16: UIL state tournament
Contact us
Beat writer: Terrence Thomas — Call 210-250-3339 or email tthomas@express-news.net.
Match results: Contact the Express-News immediately following matches at 210-250-3257, 3376, 3372, 3367, 3392, 3339, 3391, 3361 or 3353; or email to sports@express-news.net; or fax to 210-250-3351.
Stats and standings: To update complete team and individual stats, which run in the E-N every Tuesday throughout the regular season and are updated online daily, contact Mike Joseph at 210-250-3389 or sports@express-news.net
Online
For stats, scores, stories and more, go to MySA.com/sports/high-school/ throughout the season.