HS soccer recap: St. Thomas ends regular season on high note

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

It’s been a little bit more of a roller coaster ride than normal this season for the St. Thomas Eagles’ soccer team; but the Eagles managed to finish the regular season strong last week and build some momentum heading into the TAPPS postseason next weekend.

Following a pair of 3-1 losses to The Village School on Feb. 7 and Central Catholic on Feb. 10, the Eagles won their final two regular season matches with victories over Antonian Prep (20) on Feb. 11 and Concordia Lutheran (3-0) on Monday.

The Eagles finished the regular season 13-11-3 overall and 5-5 in TAPPS district play.

Alejandro Tello scored all three goals for the Eagles against Concordia Lutheran with assists from Caleb McClure, Diego Barrios, and Jeremiah Mondragon, while Tello and Baker Day scored a goal apiece against Antonian Prep. Lucas Wood earned the clean sheet in both matches by stopping every shot against him.

Elsewhere in private school action, the St. Pius X Panthers capped off the regular season by splitting a pair of matches, beating Concordia Lutheran on Feb. 7 before dropping a match against the Village School on Feb. 10 to finish 12-5-1 overall and 5-5 in district play.

Heights won its only match of the week, beating Westbury 2-0 on Feb. to improve to 4-6 on the season and 1-3 in District 18-6A.

Scarborough also won its lone match last week, a 3-1 victory over local foe Booker T. Washington, on Feb. 10. The Spartans were set to be back in action on Wednesday against Worthing.

Waltrip dropped both matches last week, losing to Sharpstown on Feb. 7 before dropping a match against Austin on Feb. 10 to fall to 2-11 overall and 2-7 in dis - trict play.

Girls

On the public school circuit, the Waltrip Lady Rams bounced back from a 2-1 loss against Sharpstown on Feb. 7 to wallop Houston Austin 10-0 on Feb. 10. Joselin Cardentay and Ariel Rivas each scored four times for Waltrip (9-6-2, 7-2) against Austin, while Triniti Hymes-Richardson also found the back of the net.

The Heights Lady Bulldogs were victorious in their only match of the week, a 7-0 win over Westbury on Feb. 8, for their second straight win to move to 6-32 overall and 2-2 in District 18-6A competition. on Feb. 10. Vincent Doucet led four players in double figures for SPX (8-23, 2-8) with 16 points against the Village School, while Kevin Range had a team-high 19 points in the victory over Concordia Lutheran.

On the private school side, the St. Pius X Lady Panthers won their only match last week, a 5-0 win over Incarnate Word Academy on Feb. 10. Corrine Ward and Emma King scored twice apiece for the Lady Panthers (10-21), while Carley Canon also scored for the third time in four matches. The Lady Panthers are now winners of five straight matches.

Lutheran North Academy defeated Rosehill Christian 66-38 on Feb. 9 before taking down Round Rock Christian Academy 97-49 on Feb. 11 to move to 22-8 and 10-4 in district play.

Girls

In public school action, the Heights Lady Bulldogs saw their season come to a close with a 73-37 loss to District 17-6A champion Memorial in the bi-district playoffs Monday nights. Heights closes out the 2022-2023 season with a 9-15 overall record.

Waltrip, meanwhile, was set to clash with Fort Bend Willowridge (23-8) in the Class 5A bi-district playoffs Tuesday night.

St. Pius X’s Lady Panthers finished the regular season at 4-20 overall and 1-11 in TAPPS district play following a 45-36 loss to Incarnate Word Academy on Feb. 9.