The Dallas Morning News previews the 2021 girls and boys soccer seasons. We take a look at storylines to know, as well as players and teams to watch.
When it comes to the present and the near future for her career, Jackie Hlavaty should be happy. She is about to enter her first season as the head coach of the Highland Park girls soccer team, the most successful girls soccer program in state history. She had been an assistant with the Lady Scots since 2009, so it’s a culture she knows and enjoys.
With that familiarity also comes knowledge of recent history, and a bitter pill to swallow last spring. The 2020 Highland Park team appeared on its way to history, with a 19-2 record and barreling toward repeating as Class 5A state champions, out-scoring its opposition 129-6.
Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March and like thousands of sports teams across the state, the Highland Park girls soccer team had to end its season before its proper conclusion.
“It’s very emotional to me to this day,” Hlavaty said. “It was a special group. It didn’t feel right.”
Perhaps the first duty Hlavaty had for the 2021 Highland Park girls team was turning the negatives of the pandemic to positives. Fortunately for her it appears that her Lady Scots have the ability, and ambition, to make this year as special as 2020 was supposed to be. The 2021 soccer season for area UIL teams begins on Tuesday and Highland Park will open its season hosting Carrollton Creekview on Jan. 5.
Like Hlavaty however, the Highland Park players have a degree of disappointment on how last season ended, especially for their senior teammates such as Presley Echols, who set a school career record with 158 goals. Echols, who is now at the University of Texas, scored 44 goals last year to repeat as The News’ Player of the Year.
“The worst part was that it ended without getting a chance to say goodbye to each other,” said senior forward Maja Davison, who has signed with Georgetown University. “It’s still disappointing. It would have been better to lose a playoff game then to have it end like this.”
Davison said a positive of last year is the bond between this year’s players, especially the seniors, is stronger.
That bond has been tested in the preseason as the lingering pandemic has caused logistical challenges.
Hlavaty said because the pandemic has altered practice schedules for all sports at Highland Park her team has practiced in a variety of places, such as Highland Park’s softball field and Scotland Yard, the home of the HP baseball team. The pandemic has also staggered how many players can be together at once, breaking up practices into different groups into different days.
And even though most aspects as soccer promotes social distancing already, the Lady Scots have worn masks throughout practices, even moving at full speed. Senior defender Keller Matise, who has signed with the University of Arkansas, said quarantines involving Highland Park’s volleyball and football teams this fall have been reminders that what they’re doing is a small price to pay, but both Matise and Davison said it’s not always easy.
“When you breathe in your own air and your masks are sweaty at the end of the day, it’s gross sometimes,” Davison said.
Davison and Matise are part of large group of 14 seniors on the current roster that appears to be loaded with talent. This group got a boost when midfielders Quinn Cornog and EmJ Cox came in after previously working with development academies. Cornog has signed with Vanderbilt while Cox has signed with Texas.
Highland Park also has a standout sophomore midfielder Hattie Patterson, who had 14 goals and five assists last year, but could see more playing as a defender this year. Hlavaty, who played college soccer for the University of Kansas from 1995 to 1998, said this year’s squad is technically solid, but is working on being better in its transition game.
The players will also have to adjust in Hlavaty taking over for Stewart Brown, who is now an assistant principal at Westwood Junior High School in the Richardson ISD. Brown led Highland Park to six state-tournament appearances and three state titles. Matise said she feels the team will handle the adjustment well.
“Coach Brown was more urgent in his style, but he only got loud when he needed to. Coach Hlavaty is louder than coach Brown, but she’s always positive,” Matise said. “Coach Brown and coach Hlavaty are always positive. That’s how it will stay the same.”
Staying the same could be a relative term in 2021. Davison said the pandemic is in the back of her head, including a worst-case scenario like March when schools and many businesses in Texas were closed.
“The pandemic has made me appreciate things more,” Davison said. “I appreciate every game, every practice, every relationship I have on this team every day.”
That appreciation could add up to big things in 2021. Highland Park has the state record for the most state tournament appearances (13) and state championships (seven). In 2017, Highland Park had a perfect 27-0 season.
Matise said even in the face of a persistent pandemic, what her team can do could be special. Even on the level of 2017.
“I do believe we can win a state championship. It’s kind of a disappointment if we don’t,” Matise said. “Can we win every game? I believe so.”
Teams to watch
Boys
Colleyville Heritage: Colleyville Heritage compiled a 18-2-3 record last year and there appears to be talent back for another big season, led by one of the area’s best offensive players in Aidan Shimmick. District 7-5A Defensive MVP Lohan Galais, co-Offensive Newcomer of the Year Cole Sheppard and first-team 7-5A selection Cade Ryan also return.
Hurst L.D. Bell: The News’ 2020 Coach of the Year Marty Reeves has built a strong program in the last two years, including a 15-1-4 mark last year. The good times should keep coming with District 3-6A Goalkeeper of the Year Ryan Saunders returning as well as Defensive Player of the Year Stephen Hernandez, co-Utility Player of the Year Paul Claffey as well 3-6A first teamers Landen Farina, Christian Gonzalez, Jesus Rodriguez and Lane Warren.f
Mansfield Legacy: Defense has sparked recent success, with just 26 goals allowed last season, and the leader of the defensive group Aldo Vera returns after earning District 5-5A Defensive Player of the Year honors. All-district performers Andrew Donohoe, Seldun Korkutovic and Jacob Stillings also return.
Midlothian Heritage: Heritage looked like a contender for the Class 4A state title last year with a 19-3-1 record. That status should return thanks to a fistful of all-district performers such as Elliot Moore, Brock Smalley, Noah May, Calvin Duggins and Wesley Nelson.
Southlake Carroll: Carroll was 19-0-1 and the top-ranked team in The News’ Class 6A area poll when the pandemic shut down the 2020 season. Carroll should remain tough, especially on offense with District 5-6A Offensive Newcomer of the Year Pato Sanchez as well as veteran forwards Max McLarty and Andrew Swauger returning.
Girls
Flower Mound: Flower Mound could be the home of the area’s best defense after allowing seven goals while compiling an 18-0-4 record last year. College signees anchor the defense in defender Madison Schott (Alabama) and goalie Peyton Whipple (Arkansas, 13 shutouts in 2020). Forward Tatum Beck (10 goals, Louisiana-Lafayette signee) returns to anchor the offense.
Frisco Independence: Being the best in Frisco is not easy, but Independence is coming off a 17-1-2 season and has a salty defense led by Missouri signee Avery Brandt: a first-team selection on The News’ 2020 All-Area Team: Makenzie Neeley (Stephen F. Austin) and junior veteran Madison Murphy.
Grapevine: Grapevine was a bulldozer when the season shut down last year, compiling a 20-0-3 record with 14 shutouts, allowing two goals in district play while out-scoring its opposition 119-11. All-area standouts in senior forward Kyleigh Rhodes (16 goals, 18 assists) and junior defender Naomi Jeter return as do all-district standouts in sophomore forward Theresa McCullough (13 goals, 14 assists), junior midfielder Kasten Merrill and junior goalie Ashley Knight (11 shutouts, nine goals allowed).
Highland Park: Highland Park was steamrolling toward its 14th state-tournament appearance and possibly its eight state title with a 27-0 record when the pandemic hit last spring. Long-time assistant Jackie Hlavaty takes over and she finds the cupboard with talent and senior college signees in Keller Matise (Arkansas), Quinn Cornog (Vanderbilt), Emily Jane Cox (Texas) and Maja Davison (Georgetown).
Prosper: Prosper was leading the difficult District 9-6A loop when last season ended, and finished with an 18-1-2 record despite not having standout sophomore Hadley Murrell and Jordyn Herrera during district play because of injuries. They’re back, and flanked by salty veterans that have signed with colleges in Kaitlyn Giametta (Texas Tech), Jordyn Gunnarson (Texas A&M) and Haley Nichols (Tulsa).
Players to watch
Boys
Bryce Boneau, Keller
This could be a big rebound season for the senior midfielder, who signed with the University of Notre Dame this month. Boneau had six goals and three assists in seven games before suffering a season-ending injury in 2020.
Zac Castro, Flower Mound Marcus
A junior forward/midfielder, Castro scored 11 goals and had nine assists last year. He was the Newcomer of the Year on The News’ All-Area Team in 2020.
Stephen Hernandez, Hurst L.D. Bell
Hernandez has been an anchor on one of the best defenses in the area. The senior defender was a first-team selection on The News’ All-Area Team in 2020 and was the District 3-6A Defensive MVP the past two seasons.
Jackson Leavitt, Allen
The senior goalie had 12 shutouts and a goals allowed average of 0.55 last year. He was a first-team selection on The News’ 2020 All-Area Team and earned District 9-6A Goalie of the Year honors in 2019 and 2020.
Aidan Shimmick, Colleyville Heritage
The senior forward had 26 goals and 17 assist last year while earning District 7-5A MVP honors. He was a first-team selection on The News’ All-Area Team.
Girls
Leah Diaz, Richardson Pearce
The sophomore forward had 30 goals and 16 assists in 23 games as a freshman, earning The News’ Newcomer of the Year honors. She was the District 8-6A Player of the Year and led Pearce to a 18-2-3 record.
Camryn Lancaster, Mansfield Lake Ridge
The senior midfielder had 13 goals and 14 assists in 2020. A TCU signee, she was a first-team selection on The News’ All-Area Team, was the District 7-6A Offensive Player of the year and led Lake Ridge to a 17-1-3 record.
Keller Matise, Highland Park
The senior defender sparked a defense that allowed six goals all season with 17 shutouts as Highland Park compiled a 27-0 record last year. A University of Arkansas signee, Matise was a first-team selection on The News’ All-Area Team last year.
Raigen Powell, Rowlett
The senior forward was The News’ Offensive Player of the Year in 2020. A University of Alabama signee, Powell had 38 goals and 11 assists she was the District 10-6A MVP while leading Rowlett to a 17-2-3 record.
Madison Schott, Flower Mound
The senior center back was the anchor of an outstanding defense that allowed seven goals in 22 games. A University of Alabama signee, Schott was The News’ Defensive Player of the Year in 2020 and the District 6-6A Defensive Player of the Year while helping Flower Mound compile an 18-0-4 record.
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