GEORGE TOWN — Attention to detail and masterful execution led Flower Mound to a 2-0 victory over Vandegrift in the Class 6A boys semifinals of the UIL state soccer tournament, leading to Saturday's championship match against the 2019 state champion Jaguars. A match was set for defending state champion Katy Seven Lakes. , dispatched Duncanville 2-0.
Flower Mound (23-2-2) scored one point on each half-set play started by a throw-in by defenseman Carter Simpson. Flower Mound then relied on goaltender Morgan English and a five-man back line that played near-perfect marking defense to keep Vandegrift from reaching the net multiple times.
“We're looking for defensive seams on throw-ins and looking for open shots,” Simpson said.
After a back-and-forth start, Flower Mound took the lead when the ball was kicked out of bounds about 30 meters from the east sideline. Simpson made the throw nearly 30 meters across the field to Jack White on the other side. White took a one-touch pass and fired a shot across the penalty box area that went just inside Vandegrift's right goal post for a 1-0 lead 9:52 into the game.
more: Westlake girls will compete in the Class 6A state championship on Saturday.
Vandegrift (22-3-2) pushed the pace, but the Jaguars' collapsing back-row defense used goaltender Morgan English as a back-row defender, forcing plays outside the net and long-range kicks. He kept the Vipers' offense centered around doing things like: bay.
The second half started with Flower Mound forcing the ball into the Vipers defensive zone, and the Vipers return went out of play, giving Simpson another throw-in from the sideline. He skipped the ball directly into the Vipers' goal, and in the ensuing scrum, Jaguars midfielder Alex Tabor kicked the loose ball into the goal, causing Vandegrift goalie Charlie Reid to inadvertently attack his own defense. Screened out. Tabor's goal came just 3:04 into the second half.
Vandegrift had some strong shots on goal from Yander Andrade and Luke Hawley, but the Vipers were unable to establish a consistent attack.
The Vipers entered the semifinals with three consecutive shutouts and outscored their playoff opponents 13-1, winning five games, but the Jaguars' defense and throw-in offense proved the difference.
