Ursuline Reclaims TAPPS Soccer Title
By Kelly Morris / Special Contributor
SAN ANTONIO — Ursuline reclaimed the TAPPS Division I state soccer title in dramatic fashion.
Elli Brunts scored in the 50th minute as the Bears secured a 1-0 victory over rival Bishop Lynch, which ended Ursuline’s run of 24 consecutive state championships last February.
“Saturday’s goal was 100 percent the biggest goal of my career, and I will never forget that moment,” Brunts said of her game-winning header, which was her 25th goal of the season. “Watching that ball go into the back of the net was one of the best feelings in the world. Lizzy [Barna] played a picture-perfect ball into the box, and I was lucky enough to be the one to get on the end of it.”
Said Ursuline head coach Kelly Wilmoth: “I can honestly say I have watched that goal over 30 times in less than 48 hours, and every time I get a little teary-eyed. That goal was absolutely beautiful. We talk all the time about how we have to play as a team, work the ball down the sideline, and cross it into the box and finish.”
The Friars threw everything at the Bears (24-1-1), but they countered with stellar defensive play. Rebecca Wildman marked Bishop Lynch’s top player, and Isabel Trevino, Mary Stoutenburgh, and Sofia Garcia worked together with goalkeeper Leah Archer to make sure nothing found the back of the net. Archer finished with 12 saves.
“These girls worked as hard as they could the past year to get the outcome we did on Saturday,” Wilmoth said. “I am so proud of them and am so excited that we brought the trophy back to Ursuline.”
