Memorial stuns topranked The Woodlands to earn berth in regional finals.
AUSTIN — Despite nearly two decades of playoff teams, Friday morning marked the first regional tournament game for No. 8-ranked Memorial.
The District 15-6A champions made the most of the appearance, beating previously unbeaten and state-ranked No. 1 The Woodlands 2-1 at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex in the Class 6A Region II semifinal.
“It’s a huge deal to us to be a part of the most successful season,” Memorial forward Grace Collins said. “A lot of great girls have come through the program and we’re just excited to leave our legacy here.”
For the Lady Highlanders (23-1-2), the loss cut short their 10th trip to the regional tournament. The Woodlands lost in double overtime to eventual state champion Pflugerville Hendrickson in last year’s regional final.
In the 30th minute, Mary Grace Sullivan played Grace Collins into the box. Collins’ shot found the back of the net and the Mustangs led 1-0.
Memorial doubled the lead early in the second half on a penalty kick from Kelsey Hranicky.
Shianne Knight’s long-distance goal from 40 yards out breathed life into the Lady Highlanders with nine minutes left, but Memorial held on the rest of the way.
Memorial looks for more history in the Region II-6A final against Round Rock at 11 a.m. Saturday.
ELSIK BOYS 2, TOMPKINS 1
Tompkins goalkeeper Arlen Oni had the nation’s top-ranked team in Elsik searching for answers, but Jose Umana had one last say.
Umana’s goal with two minutes left in the second overtime helped Elsik beat Tompkins in the Region III-6A boys soccer semifinal in Deer Park.
Elsik, which will face Strake Jesuit in Saturday’s regional final, is seeking its first trip to state since 2013.
STRAKE JESUIT BOYS 2 NORTH SHORE 1
North Shore’s Luis Gutierrez knotted it in the 77th minute, but Strake Jesuit found a miraculous answer two minutes later, with Gabriel Dominguez chesting in the game-winner at Abshier Stadium. WISDOM BOYS 2 A&M CONSOLIDATED 0 Houston ISD’s impressive run in boys soccer might continue.
Wisdom toppled A&M Consolidated in a win in the Region III-5A semifinal. The Generals face Huntsville on Saturday.
Wheatley and Washington made up an all-HISD Region III-4A final last year. The Generals can add another banner for the state’s largest district Saturday.
TOMPKINS, CINCO GIRLS WIN
Tompkins and Cinco Ranch will play in the Class 6A Region III title game for the second consecutive year and Katy ISD will have a team in the UIL state bracket for a seventh consecutive year.
The teams meet at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Abshire Stadium. It will be the third meeting between the two this season with Cinco Ranch winning one and a draw in the other game.
Cinco Ranch handled Clear Springs in a 3-1 regional semifinal win Friday with a goal from McKenzie Chew and a brace from Ali Russell. Maddie Salas scored Clear Springs’ lone goal.
Tompkins got a 76th-minute goal from Leanne Veary to top Kingwood in its semifinal.
TOMBALL GETS KINGWOOD PARK
It took penalty kicks, but Tomball bested Port NechesGroves 4-1 after playing to a scoreless draw in regulation in Friday’s Class 5A Region III semifinal at Turner Stadium.
On the other side is Kingwood Park, who has Allie Byrd and her hat trick to thank for a 4-3 win over Cedar Park.
Kingwood Park and Tomball’s regional final is set for 11 a.m. Saturday at Turner Stadium.
CONROE BOYS 3, ALDINE 0
Conroe, in its first regional final since 1997, will take on Coppell in the Region II-6A boys final at 1 p.m. Saturday after beating Aldine.