District 20-6A boys, girls soccer races coming down to wire

By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Even though the District 20-6A playoff picture has already been solidified, there is still plenty to play for in the season’s final week, with several teams fighting for playoff positioning.

On the heels of four straight wins, the Bush Broncos currently hold a slim lead for the top spot at 9-2-2 in district play as they gun for a second consecutive district title. Ridge Point (8-2-4) is still fighting for the top spot, while Austin (7-4-2) and George Ranch (7-4-3) are also still battling for a top-three seed.

George Ranch snapped a three-match winless streak with a 2-1 win over Hightower on Friday. Tobias Herrera scored both goals for George Ranch (10-8-3, 7-4-3) in the victory, while Gregor Jones made a season-high 12 saves to earn the victory in goal.

Austin, meanwhile, earned a 3-1 win over Travis on March 4 to improve 9-4-4 overall and 7-4-2 in district play. Alex Rubio scored twice for the Bulldogs, while Ihsan Topuz also scored and Muhammed Kelani and Dillon Trimble had an assist apiece.

In Class 4A action, the Needville Blue Jays are the champs of District 21-4A following a 6-2 win over Sweeny on Saturday. Six different players scored in the win for Needville (15-2-3, 8-1-3), who will be making an appearance in the UIL postseason for a second consecutive season.

Girls

The race for a top three seed is also in full effect in District 20-6A on the girls’ side. Ridge Point has secured the top seed, but

Elkins (12-3-5, 8-2-3), Clements (9-5-4, 8-3-2), and George Ranch (11-6-4, 83-3) are all still narrowly separated. Elkins played to a 2-2 tie with Ridge Point on March 8 before taking Bush 2-0 on March 4 to run their unbeaten streak to four matches. Ellie Pitts scored both goals for Elkins against Ridge Point, while Amelie Cherry and Amelia Olawu scored a goal apiece in the win over Bush. Isabella Paiva stopped every shot against her in net to secure the Lady Knights’ ninth clean sheet of the season. Clements split a pair of matches last week, beating Travis 3-0 on March 8 before falling 2-0 to Ridge Point on March 4. Chloe Le broke the deadlock for the Lady Rangers in the 13th minute to give them a lead they wouldn’t relinquish as they move toward a second straight playoff berth.

On the Class 5A front, the Foster Lady Falcons are closing in on a fifth consecutive district title thanks to an 8-0 victory over Marshall on Feb. 28 and a 9-0 win against Kempner on March 3. The Lady Falcons (16-4, 12-0) have won 15 straight matches and could clinch the title if they defeat Fulshear (13-7, 11-1) or with a win against Terry on Tuesday coupled with a Chargers loss to Kempner. Fulshear kept pace in the race, however, with a 9-1 win against Randle on Feb. 28 and a 7-0 win over Willowridge on March 3 to win its fifth straight match.

In Class 4A action, the Needville Lady Blue Jays have secured District 21-4A’s No. 2 seed thanks to a 3-2 win over Sweeny on March 4. Arianna Franco had a goal plus an assist for the Lady Blue Jays (17-4, 9-2), while Jayleen Aguirre and Maddie Watson each also found the back of the