SOCCER: Highlanders defeat Cavaliers 4-1 in rivalry showdown

THE WOODLANDS, Texas — This edition of War of the Woods ended up only being a skirmish. The Woodlands High School Highlanders boys’ varsity team crushed the College Park Cavaliers.

The Highlanders dominated for a majority of the game, mainly playing on the offense. The Cavaliers responded with a strong defense. In the first half, The Woodlands were able to break through the defense and scored at the thirty-sixth minute. Senior, Rafael Ortiz, scored the first goal. In the sixteenth minute of the first half, junior Wesley Mitchell scored another for the Highlanders.

The Cavaliers had a break away in the fifteenth minute following Mitchell’s goal was scored but the play was ruled off sides. Mitchell wrapped up the first half with another goal in the thirteenth minute.

When asked about how he felt about his two goals, Mitchell said, “It feels pretty good. Anything to help the win and beat College Park.” The score at the end of the first half was 3-0, with the Woodlands in the lead.

The second half was more competitive. Both teams maintained possession equally. In the twenty-ninth minute, Ortiz scored again. When asked about how the two goals, Ortiz said, “It’s very exciting and it gives me confidence for the next game.”

With the help of their cheering fans, the College Park Cavaliers were able to secure a goal in the sixteenth minute after a penalty was called against The Woodlands. Junior, Jaxon Whittington, scored the penalty kick.

When prompted with how the Woodlands boys prepared for this game, senior captain, Jacob Moore, said, “College Park is our main rival. We prepared every day last week and we know how they play. They played like Atascosita High School with wide forwards.”

The two captains for The Woodlands High School have high hopes for this season. Senior Baker Smith said, “We’re going to practice hard.” The other captain, Jacob Moore, added, “We are going to go undefeated in districts, come in first for the ninth time in a row, and go on to win state.”

The end score was 4-1, The Woodlands High School winning against College Park.