Panthers, Rangers Score Playoff Upsets
Hillcrest was one of the last teams into the Class 5A boys soccer playoffs. However, the Panthers won’t be one of the first teams out.
After claiming a postseason spot through a fourth-place tiebreaker on Tuesday. Hillcrest upset District 12-5A champion Seagoville 2-0 in overtime on Thursday at Forester Stadium.
The Region II bi-district victory lifts the Panthers (13-6-3) into a matchup against Frisco Wakeland on Monday. The Wolverines (18-4-1) crushed Wylie East 4-0 on Thursday.
Not far away, Jesuit managed the same feat on Thursday, scoring a 2-1 upset of District 8-6A top seed Arlington Martin on penalty kicks in Grapevine.
The Rangers (10-7-4) needed a tiebreaker victory over Richardson Pearce two days earlier just to qualify for the playoffs. Their run will continue thanks to a first-half goal by Josh Roppolo, stellar goalkeeping by Cole Hines, and a shootout game-winner by Julian McDaniel.
Jesuit advances to meet either Lewisville or Prosper in the Class 6A Region I area round next week.
In more boys action, W.T. White surged to a 5-1 win over Molina in 5A Region II, led by two goals from Jesus Abeja at Sprague Stadium. The Longhorns (13-3-5), who are the top seed from 11-5A, will meet either McKinney North or Frisco Liberty next.
On the girls side, WTW was even more dominant, rolling to a 9-0 victory over Samuell at Loos Stadium. Sandi Agudo had a hat trick, and WTW head coach Hank Alven earned his 100th career win. Next up, the Longhorns (13-3-4) will face either Lovejoy or Frisco Reedy.
