Breaking down the teams that will play in the UIL soccer regional quarterfinals

Quinton Martinez, Corpus Christi Caller Times

March 31, 2022 at 7:01 AM·5 min read

For the second straight season District 29-4A has shown its mettle in the girls soccer playoffs.

Calallen, a state finalist a year ago, went through district without conceding a goal for the second straight season, but the district also has three teams remaining in the third round of the playoffs.

In 2021 it was four teams.

Second-place Santa Gertrudis Academy will face third-place London in the regional quarterfinals on Thursday at Cabaniss West with the district guaranteed one spot in the Region IV-4A tournament in McAllen.

With the Wildcats a favorite against Hidalgo, the district could get two teams through for the second straight season.

Coastal Bend coaching veteran Eddie Dillon, who leads the London girls, said the depth of the district goes beyond the top four schools in the playoffs.

"I would say the top six teams, even lower than that, put up a good fight," Dillon said. "Every time we step on the field, we expect a battle and that gets us ready for the tougher games in the playoffs."

First-year SGA coach Norma Carrales said the Lions have extra motivation against the Pirates, who not only knocked the team out of the postseason last year in the regional quarterfinals, but beat them 4-1 during the regular season.

"I feel like we match up pretty well with London, but my girls had a bad day in that loss," Carrales said. "There is some extra motivation."

The Lions have been the second highest-scoring team from District 29-4A behind the champion Wildcats and posted eight shutouts in 14 district matches.

"The girls have played together for several years," Carrales said. "They work really well together. Their teamwork has been great. We're like a family. Our goalie Rylee Vasquez is a great communicator.

"Defense has been a very big factor. When they are on point, they are on point. It isn't just my four defenders, I have others that can play there that are just as strong."

Emmie Purdy is a dynamic scorer for SGA but teams have done everything to neutralize the Lions star.

"Rylee and Emmie really stand out for us," Carrales said. "Teams have two or three defenders on Emmie at all times. She's a great motivator and she is a great team player and looks to get others involved."

London's Clara Roberts sends a ball forward during a Class 4A bi-district soccer match.

Dillon said the familiarity between London and SGA almost makes it seem as if the teams are playing themselves.

"We are not identical, but we know each other really well," Dillon said. "Every time we play it is a battle and it could go either way. Sometimes they are going to get the breaks, other times we are going to get the breaks, but we know it is going to be a good soccer game."

Veterans Memorial is the last boys team remaining in the Coastal Bend, reaching the regional quarterfinal round for the fourth time in program history with a 3-1 win against Brownsville Veterans Memorial.

The Chargers had previously beaten the Eagles three times in the postseason. The Eagles will face another stout challenge against Sharyland with a berth in the regional tournament at Cabaniss Soccer on the line.

Here is a look at the five remaining teams

Veterans Memorial faces off with Rio Grande City in high school soccer.

VETERANS MEMORIAL BOYS (22-3-1)

The Eagles went undefeated through District 29-5A and have not lost since the first week of the season.

Veterans Memorial is looking for its first appearance in the regional tournament and to be the second boys team to qualify in as many seasons (London, 2021) after a 15-year gap.

Aiden Perales leads the Eagles attack. Steven Volpe and Erick Gutierrez have also been vital for Veterans Memorial this season.

Gregory-Portland's Taylor Baker receives a pass during the District 29-5A game at Cabaniss Soccer Field, Friday, March 11, 2022, in Corpus Christi, Texas. The Wildcats defeated the Eagles, 2-0.

GREGORY-PORTLAND GIRLS (20-3-1)

The Ladycats are no stranger to deep runs in the postseason.

G-P, the unbeaten District 29-5A champion, won its fifth consecutive district title this season and is angling for a return to the regional semifinals. Casey Wyatt's team has been to the regional tournament three straight seasons, not counting 2020 when the postseason was canceled due to COVID-19.

G-P has experience in net with Sydney Kuzma, has a playmaker in Sophia Jimenez and a handful of finishers including Karlee Friebele and Madison Kilgore.

CALALLEN GIRLS

Calallen has worn the weight of expectations on its back and excelled. A state finalist in 2021, the Wildcats returned with much of the same roster that broke the barrier as the first Coastal Bend team to make the state tournament.

For the second consecutive season, the Wildcats went through District 29-4A unbeaten and unscored upon.

Calallen returned two of the best players in the region in forward Jillian Curtis and midfielder Kaylie Smith, both juniors and also have an experienced keeper in Laramie Miller.

Flying under the radar last season, Region IV-4A will be gunning for Calallen this time around.

The London girls soccer team celebrates a goal during a Class 4A area soccer playoff match.

SANTA GERTRUDIS ACADEMY GIRLS

The Lions had never been to the playoffs before last season and the team is on the doorstep of the regional semifinals for the second straight year.

SGA lost three matches in the regular season — two to Calallen and one to regional quarterfinal foe London — and brought back much of its roster from last season.

The Lions lost to the Pirates in an overtime thriller in this round a season ago.

SGA is led by one of the best finishers in the area, Emmie Purdy and goalkeeper Rylee Vasquez, who helped the team post eight shutouts in district play.

LONDON GIRLS

The Pirates were involved in several tight games in District 29-4A play and two ties against Tuloso-Midway dropped London into third place in the district.

London coach Eddie Dillon said those games where they unfolded late are burned into the minds of the team, which has helped it in tight playoff wins against IDEA Alamo (1-0) and Brownsville Jubilee (2-1).

The Pirates have been led by midfielders Taylor Ketter and Nicole Rocha this season along with Cambell Collins.

London is aiming for its third appearance in the Class 4A regional tournament.

Quinton Martinez covers all things sports in South Texas. Support local coverage like this by checking out our subscription options and special offers at Caller.com/subscribe

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: A look at the Corpus Christi teams alive in the UIL Soccer Playoffs

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