District 15-6A Soccer Playoffs: South County Round 3 Roundup

THE WOODLANDS, Texas --

Boys Division

College Park:

In every tournament, there is always a team that gets hot and can seemingly do no wrong. After College Park’s 4-1 win over Hendrickson Friday night, it may be time to consider the Cavaliers as one of those teams.

The only thing better than the weather in Cypress was the start of the game for College Park. In the fifth minute, a James Ross-Kirov free kick found the back of the net. The senior midfielder’s goal sent the team and the fans who made the trip to Pridgeon Stadium into a frenzy. The early goal opened the game up, which allowed for great attacking soccer on both ends. After absorbing pressure from a threatening Hawks attack, CP put together good counterattacking opportunities, one of which resulted in what would have been the Cavaliers second goal midway through the first half. However, the assistant referee’s flag went up for offside, keeping College Park’s lead at one.

The dream start for the Cavaliers would be interrupted when Hendrickson’s Kris Cedillo sent a strong volley at the top of the box low into the net to equalize with less than two minutes remaining in the half.

If there was any fear that the historic College Park playoff run would come to an end in the third round, three second-half goals would remove it. The last 40 minutes of Friday’s game was intense, it was, at times, chippy, but the Cavaliers kept their composure and focus just a bit more than their opponent from Pflugerville to book their spot in the Regional Semifinals.

CP regained the lead with 18 minutes remaining when Axel Hevener beat his defender and slotted home a low shot past the outstretched Hawks keeper. The other goalkeeper in this game, Ben Dixon, was so instrumental in the Cavaliers keeping their second-half lead. Time after time, he came up with big saves to keep the Hendrickson attack at bay, buying time for his team to find chances to put the game away.
College Park found their chance in the 72nd minute, when their playoff resident goalscorer, Mike Dadarria cashed-in his third goal in three games. Then, with five minutes left to play, defender Ronaldo Tello chipped Hendrickson’s keeper from nearly 40 yards out to make the win official.

It was a night to remember for College Park soccer, and they will look to keep it going in the Regional Semifinals, when they play the Allen Eagles in Austin, Texas at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex, Friday, April 12 at 6 p.m.

Girls Division

The Woodlands:

The Lady Highlanders came up just short in Bastrop on Friday. The Woodlands fell to Round Rock High School 2-1 to end their season in the Regional Quarterfinals. The Highlanders struck first after Lauren Toma’s goal opened the scoring, but two quick responses from Round Rock was enough to hold off The Woodlands. The District 15-6A champion’s season came to a close with a final record of 18-3-6.