Sports

DOBBS, URSULINE RECLAIM TOP SPOT IN TAPPS SOCCER

By Chris Bils and Ross Fisher

Special Contributors

Covenant doubles up on TAPPS titles

For the first time in school history, Covenant won simultaneous state titles in girls and

For an Ursuline soccer program that has boys soccer, securing both TAPPS Division III claimed its 28 state championships, trophies with victories over Schertz John Paul. there’s only ever been one Kylie Dobbs. The Covenant boys, whose last title came in

The senior forward entered the TAPPS 2018, closed out a narrow 1-0 victory, while the Division I state title game on March 5 girls secured their first championship in a 3-1 needing just one goal to reach 100 for her win propelled by two goals from sophomore career. She scored four, and the Bears dis- Kaitlin Swann. mantled defending state champion Hous- “We won it our freshman year, but we have ton St. Agnes 5-0. been the runner-up the “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” We finally came past two years,” attacking midfielder Jacob said Dobbs, who together as a team and Scott said. “So it is realtallied 49 goals this season. “When that got our program back ly great to be back here and end our careers on 100th goal went in, to where we know it a win.” I told my teammates that nothing matters should be. Swann’s goals in the girls game were her if we don’t win this Kylie Koeijmans 50th and 51st of the game, so the fact that season, setting a new we put it away and we’re here now feels so program record. She scored 27 goals last year good, especially to bring it back home to as a freshman. our school.” The high-powered Knights scored 140 goals

Senior forward Whitney Dodson put on the season — an average of more than six the icing on the cake with a goal in the fi- per game. Covenant avenged a loss to John Paul nal minute. The Bears (22-1) last won the last year, taking the final step in the program’s crown in 2018 but had not made the title rebuild under third-year coach Kirk Redding. game since then.

“It’s been great to get it back and finally TITLE TOWN get here again, and earn it back for all the girls before us who didn’t have this the past Ursuline and Covenant brought three couple of years,” senior goalkeeper Kylie state soccer championships back to Koeijmans said. “We finally came togeth- Dallas. er as a team and got our program back to where we know it should be.” Division I girls

The title was the program’s first under Ursuline d. Houston St. Agnes, 5-0 second-year head coach Darrin Hedges. The Bears concluded the season on a 12game winning streak and finished unbeatDivision III boys Covenant d. Schertz John Paul, 1-0 en against private-school competition. They Division III girls outscored their four playoff opponents by a Covenant d. Schertz John Paul, 3-1 FROM TOP: The Ursuline Academy soccer team claimed a TAPPS state title as did Covenant score of 21-1. School’s girls and boys teams. (PHOTOS: TOP TWO BY THAO NGUYEN, BOTTOM COURTESY COVENANT SCHOOL)

Keeping It Chill: Minnesota-Born ESD Senior Stands Out on the Ice

By Todd Jorgenson

People Newspapers

Winges is a standout defender for Dallas Stars Elite, the only girls traveling team in the Dallas area. Af-

In her native Minnesota, thou- ter graduation, she will play on the sands of teenage girls play ice hock- women’s team at Harvard. ey — both for their school and year- She started as a figure skater but round traveling teams. preferred the teamwork and adrena-

But in Texas, Eleanor Wing- line rush of hockey. By the time she es is such an anomaly that many of was a freshman, she had made the her Episcopal School of Dallas class- varsity squad at an all-girls private mates called her “Hockey Girl” be- school in St. Paul. fore they knew her name. “I fell in love with the sport while

However, the ESD senior takes watching my brother,” said Wingin stride the culture shock, on and es, whose father also played hockey off the ice, that came with relocat- in high school. “So I tried it, and I ing from the Twin Cities to Dallas loved it.” in 2019. Dallas Stars Elite frequent-

“I don’t think my friends are the ly plays against boys teams during PCP_Apr2021x10Banner-FINAL-Revised.pdf 1 3/11/2021 3:24:31 PMhockey types,” Winges said. “They’re its season because of the lack of always super interested and shocked competition. The team heads out because it’s not very big here.” of town to girls-only tournaments

It would be awesome to see girls hockey grow in Texas. Eleanor Winges

Eleanor Winges plans to play at Harvard next season. (COURTESY PHOTO)

once or twice per month.

Hockey season for Winges typically runs from about August until May. She also competes for ESD in tennis.

Her school does have a team in field hockey, a sport that coincidentally hasn’t gained much traction in Minnesota. But on the ice? Growth in this area has been slow but steady.

“It would be awesome to see girls hockey grow in Texas,” Winges said. “It’s so fun to be able to see your teammates in the hallways. It helps you bond a bit more. It’s different not having anyone at my school being on the same team.”

The Dallas Stars professional team recently started sponsoring Rookie Girls, a free event for youngsters to generate interest in the game among beginners. It has other programs in the works, too.

Winges committed to Harvard during her freshman year in Minnesota. If all goes well, she hopes a professional career will follow.

“I’m going to be as much like a sponge as possible,” she said.