UIL state soccer championships: Celina girls, San Elizario boys secure Class 4A titles

The UIL soccer state tournament is underway in Georgetown, Texas.

Semifinal matchups will continue through Friday, but one state championship game is in the books. Check back here for updates on state championship games, and click here to see a schedule of games.

San Elizario boys outlast Boerne, secure Class 4A title

For the second time in program history, the San Elizario Eagles are state champions.

San Elizario defeated Boerne 1-0 on Friday at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown, Texas in a UIL Class 4A state championship match. In a low scoring affair, Francisco Marquez’s highlight reel goal from 25 yards out 62 minutes into the game was the difference maker.

“That was probably the best goal I’ve scored in my life,” Marquez said. “Especially considering it was in the state final.”

Marquez, who was assisted by Angel Valdez on the game winner, received the Class 4A state championship most valuable player award.

“I didn’t think much of it,” Marquez said of the shot. “I just saw the goalie and took a shot. Fortunately, it went in. I enjoyed the goal.”

The Eagles have made the state tournament four times since 2018, and were finally able to get over the hump. San Elizario (23-3) handed Boerne (22-1) its only loss of the season.

“It feels great,” Marquez said. “After fighting for four years, it just feels great to be a state champion.”

San Elizario’s defense and midfield was dominant, controlling the tempo and limiting Boerne’s chances to score. Boerne only took one shot and had zero shots on goal, and Marquez credited the team’s chemistry for the success.

“Staying together as a family,” Marquez said. “Not giving up and cheering on everyone.”

San Elizario, on the other hand, had 13 total shots, eight of which were on the goal. Boerne goalkeeper Ben Niedoken did a fantastic job limiting the damage, making seven saves.

The Boerne Greyhounds lost in both the girls and boys 4A state championship games. The boys squad won back-to-back state championships in the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

Celina girls defeat Boerne, secure championship three-peat

Celina girls soccer made history in Georgetown, Texas on Thursday, defeating Boerne 1-0 at Birkelbach field to secure its third consecutive class 4A state championship.

Celina’s (26-1-2) lone goal scorer was junior forward Grace Pritchard, who was named the most valuable player. The Bobcats had a strong turnout from their fans, who packed the stands with orange and white.

Celina head coach Alexander Adams said the championship win was surreal.

“We have a really young team,” Adams said. “It started out a little chippy at first to begin the year. We battled through that and felt we improved wonderfully as a team and earn that number one rankings.”

It was a personal, emotional championship win for Adams because of a death in his family.

“Not to make this about me, but my father passed away,” Adams said. “ ... That happened in the second half of district. To go through that tragedy and to have my team and the Celina community lift me up and pick me back up again and to come out here and finish this -- it’s just unbelievable. You can’t make up a story like that.”

Pritchard scored the sole goal three minutes into the second half, and was assisted by Ryleigh Stifflemire. The Bobcat defense and midfield continued to shut down Boerne’s offense; it was a narrow lead but it was all Celina needed.

Adams said Boerne was similar to Anna, a team in district 11-4A with Celina.

“We kinda already had a gameplan for them,” Adams said. “We felt like we could’ve executed what we did against Anna. And that’s exactly what we did.”

Celina is the second girls team in the history of the UIL to secure three consecutive championship victories. The Bobcats’s defense and midfield put on a masterclass, allowing Boerne (23-2-3) to tally two shots on goal.