Playoffs coming...

OLJW wrote:No clue, but if they’re like my daughters team then they probably cover the gamut. Very good game huh?

yes, it is a great game. now to PK's

Congratulations to Marcus!

Great job Keeper in PKs

Multivitamin wrote:Congratulations to Marcus!

Great job Keeper in PKs

Some good blocks there. Congrats to Marcus.

Been watching soccer games now since my oldest was 5 years old, she’s 18 now. Have another that’s 16 and still going strong. I’ve never seen ANY game that means more to players, than these HS games do. I think US Soccer is making a 24K solid gold, diamond encrusted, stupid decision in discouraging HS play.

US SOCCER is running US SOCCER for US SOCCER, not for players.

OLJW wrote:Been watching soccer games now since my oldest was 5 years old, she’s 18 now. Have another that’s 16 and still going strong. I’ve never seen ANY game that means more to players, than these HS games do. I think US Soccer is making a 24K solid gold, diamond encrusted, stupid decision in discouraging HS play.

US SOCCER is running US SOCCER for US SOCCER, not for players.

Making a blanket statement like that is just as myopic as US Soccer discouraging HS play.

It all depends on the situation. In many cases, you are absolutely correct that these HS games mean more to the girls that any club game they will ever play. I know it's that way for my DD's. There's no way in hell that they'd skip playing HS. However, they've been blessed to attend a large 6A school where the entire varsity roster is high level club players, as are most of the rosters in their district. So the level of play is high, AND they have a coach who the girls all generally like.

Not all situations in NTX are like that. If you're a DA level player who goes to a middling 4A school where half of the starters never play above rec, it's a totally different story. I can absolutely see blowing off HS for DA in a case like that. Plano West has won state championships in recent memory, yet they had several DA and ECNL players from last year's team who decided not to play this year because they had major issues with the PW head coach. HS soccer is not all peaches and cream everywhere or for every girl.

When it clicks, it's magical, and will be some of the best memories those girls will ever have. If it doesn't click, it can flat out suck big time. Even worse than club.

The great thing about NTX is that right now, we've got great, quality choices across the board that can fulfill the needs and desires of just about any player. A lot of places in TX and the rest of the US that don't have that.

Ha, I’ll stand by it.

That was a great offside call on that throw in.

OLJW wrote:Been watching soccer games now since my oldest was 5 years old, she’s 18 now. Have another that’s 16 and still going strong. I’ve never seen ANY game that means more to players, than these HS games do. I think US Soccer is making a 24K solid gold, diamond encrusted, stupid decision in discouraging HS play.

US SOCCER is running US SOCCER for US SOCCER, not for players.

I think you have to compare apples with apples. The chance to play before a couple thousand people, for your high-school to be in the rare air of being a State champion in the high-school setting where you are trying your best just to fit in adds to the importance of these matches and why you see a game that means as much to players.

Let's compare it to a State cup final with girls that they have been all over the country with in their last year to see if the passion is about the same. I understand your statement and I have watched a lot of Highschool ball this year ( go Wakeland) and I have seen them play with heart this weekend more then most of the matches I saw this entire season. This is for bragging rights in the messed up world of High-School which is big and you add that to parents, teachers, grand parents and everyone jumping on this ride it yields what you see in the games today. I also saw similar passion at a U11 game in the middle of the summer when a side is playing to try to get into Lake highlands. I saw similar passion in a U11 game when a short sided side is trying to get up a division in PPL. Passion in a game the most passionate game is a by-product of what are you playing for and why are you playing. Overall the reason for HS play is totally different and if done right good can come out of both. Most high-school games to be fair scare the crap out of me. With the turff, the kick the ball as far as you can, the 2 games a week and endless training. ( injuries anyone) I digress. I am enjoying this and cheering them on. Anything that keeps the beautiful game beautiful. Enjoy the moment as it ends way too soon.

Congrats to the Wakeland Boys and Girls, Marcus girls. ( I'll give a little love to Grapevine as well but really I'll be the loud one cheering on the Wolves tomorrow I can be so annoying)

Here ya go OLJW. This should make you happy.

https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/77603/us-soccer-blundered-badly-on-high-school-soccer.html

Wakeland Girls 5A State Champions!!! 4-3 winners in PK's!

Congrats to Wakeland and Grapevine. From DMN account, sounds like a heckuva game.

Where do we go from here? Do we continue down the same road or take the path less traveled?

Congratulations! High school soccer matters. Your victories will be remembered for the rest of your lives. a 4-3 win on PKs is the game of a lifetime. Didn't see the game but everything I heard indicates good/quality was played.

TxFutbal wrote:Congratulations!   High school soccer matters.  Your victories will be remembered for the rest of your lives.  a 4-3 win on PKs is the game of a lifetime.  Didn't see the game but everything I heard indicates good/quality was played.

Great overall game, with high drama throughout. Grapevine gets on the board first with what could have been an offside goal but it was scored. Wakeland gets a free kick late in 2nd half to tie it up. Crowd goes crazy. 1st over time an excellent goal by Grapevine puts them up 2-1. A questionable call provides Wakeland a Penalty kick (but you need some luck in this game and we created some luck) this was followed by a great goal late in the 2nd overtime to give what seemed to be the victory for Grapevine. However, Wakeland would not be denied. (Hand of God) not exactly but that was the first thing I thought about in our late goal to even the match and send it to PKs. Wakeland hits all 5 of their PKs then Our keeper makes a save going the wrong way with the ball spinning back to words the goal gets up and knocks the ball away. The play was good on both sides someone has to loose and someone has to win. It was a great overall game. With Wakeland getting dominated in the first half as they have in a lot of this magical run. However, looking like the stronger side in the 2nd half as they have in most of the matches after playing a little rope a dope. Another old sports reference. Wakeland Boys back to back. Girls were a slight miss a way from beating HP last year or it could have been 2 back to back titles for Soccer town USA. Great way to send of their Coach with a state championship that he will never forget. Now if was can get one more next year wouldn't that be special.

TxFutbal wrote:Congratulations!   High school soccer matters.  Your victories will be remembered for the rest of your lives.  a 4-3 win on PKs is the game of a lifetime.  Didn't see the game but everything I heard indicates good/quality was played.

You mean "Pens"...

Bodhisattva wrote:

TxFutbal wrote:Congratulations!   High school soccer matters.  Your victories will be remembered for the rest of your lives.  a 4-3 win on PKs is the game of a lifetime.  Didn't see the game but everything I heard indicates good/quality was played.

You mean "Pens"...

I hate you.

Coach wrote:

Bodhisattva wrote:

TxFutbal wrote:Congratulations!   High school soccer matters.  Your victories will be remembered for the rest of your lives.  a 4-3 win on PKs is the game of a lifetime.  Didn't see the game but everything I heard indicates good/quality was played.

You mean "Pens"...

I hate you.

This may not work, if it does here’s the game.

https://shar.es/1LPIfa