Highlanders return to region tourney

BRENHAM, Texas – It will be familiar ground that The Woodlands High School boys’ soccer team ventures into this weekend.

The No. 1 state-ranked and undefeated Highlanders (21-0-1) take on McKinney Boyd at 4 p.m. Friday in a Region II-5A semifinals match at Kelly Reeves Complex in Round Rock, also the site of the region finals which is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday.

Conroe and Lake Highlands tangle in the other region semifinals matchup on Friday.

The Woodlands advanced to the region tournament for the eighth time in nine seasons with a 5-1 overtime victory over Round Rock McNeil on Tuesday at Hohlt Park.

The Highlanders broke open a nail-biter with a barrage of goals in extra time. But unlike in regulation time, where The Woodlands peppered the McNeil goalkeeper with shot after shot, the Highlanders found the back of the net with regularity in a battle of unbeaten teams.

Buba Jobe, who assisted Primo Covarrubias in The Woodlands’ lone goal in regulation, drilled home a pair of goals in overtime as the Highlanders pulled away.

Miguel Bernardo and Ricardo Trevino also scored goals in overtime.

McKinney Boyd defeated The Woodlands last season at the region tournament. The Highlanders look to turn the tables in 2014.