Summer Creek eyeing first postseason win
Becky Cobb has made the most of her second year as Summer Creek’s girls soccer coach, getting to know her players more on a personal level. The result: a family atmosphere during practice and games throughout the season.
“I think I know my team more than I did last year,” Cobb said. “I think when you really get to sit down and talk with your players, you can help them out not only on the soccer field but in life, too. This is a great team, and these girls have done everything that I have asked. Now we get our chance in the playoffs to do what no other team at this school has done.”
Summer Creek is making its sixth playoff appearance since the school opened in 2009 and the second in a row under Cobb.
The Lady Bulldogs (18-4) will take on Pasadena Memorial (134-3) in a Region III-6A bi-district game at 6 p.m. Friday at Abshire Stadium in Deer Park.
After winning 11 games in each of the last three seasons, Summer Creek set a school record with its 18 victories this year. Against the Lady Mavericks, Summer Creek will be looking for the first playoff win in school history.
“We set a lot of goals at the beginning of the season, and we have crushed them,” Cobb said. “We won our first soccer tournament in program history, we beat Atascocita for the first time, we beat Beaumont West Brook, and we have the most wins. It has been a special year, and now our biggest goal that’s next is winning our first playoff game.”
Seniors Amanda Vilchez, Deztynee Hall, Yulia Meza, Megan Garza and Kalista LeJarza have guided the Lady Bulldogs all season. Cobb thinks of them as assistant coaches.
“I feel like seniors are always a vital part of any successful team,” Cobb said. “They have been here the longest. They’re more mature. It’s their last time playing here, and they want to make it as far as they can go. Our younger kids have made it a priority to make sure they can give it their all so that the seniors can have a special year.”
One of those younger kids is sophomore sensation Sohana Spencer, who leads the Lady Bulldogs with 35 goals, including six against District 21-6A foe C.E. King in Summer Creek’s home finale. Spencer also has nine assists this season.
“She’s a good leader and a teammate,” Cobb said. “She’s goal-oriented and a kid that just works hard whether people are watching or not. She does a lot of stuff on her own, and she’s a product of her hard work. She has a great attitude, and it’s a pleasure to be around her.”
Freshman Brooke Atkins is second on the team with 19 goals and has four assists. Sophomore Alicia Martinez has nine goals with 10 assists, while Vilchez has five goals.
While its first playoff victory would be gratifying, Summer Creek is looking to make a deep postseason run.
“We have some girls coming back from injures, and they will be ready for the playoffs,” Cobb said. “These girls have really worked hard all year, and it’s the playoffs now, and anything can happen. There’s a lot of pressure playing in the playoffs, but my team is ready for anything. We’re excited for the playoffs, and we’re ready to play Pasadena Memorial.”