By Michael Adams
madams@onthesidelinessports.com

An improbable run by the Westwood girls soccer team to the 2023 University Interscholastic League Class 6A state semifinals, may have surprised a few people.

However, head coach Malcom Framjee said the Warriors first appearance in the state tournament in 24 years was anything but shocking.

“I knew early on in the season that if we could get a full healthy team at the right time, we could make a good run,” Framjee said. “These girls have such a strong bond; they know each other well. We have such a good culture here at Westwood, they’re like family.”

It’s that bond Westwood players say is what makes them dangerous in the 2024 Texas high school soccer season, which begins today.

“One of our main goals this season is to rebuild the bond we had last year,” said junior captain Kate Wyrick. “When you spend every day at school and practice with a person it’s kind of hard not to know everything about them.”

The Warriors finished fourth in a notoriously competitive District 26-6A. They lost to district champion Round Rock twice in the regular season, before eliminating the Dragons in the Region IV final to punch their ticket to the state semifinals for the first time since 1999.

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They went 0-1-1 against Vandegrift before beating the Vipers in the regional quarterfinals and reach the regional tournament.

And the cherry on top was upsetting District 26-6A champion and heavy favorite Lake Travis 1-0 in the bi-district playoff.

Westwood’s playoff run was the textbook definition of survive and advance.

“When we went into the playoffs, we knew it wasn’t going to be easy, especially with Lake Travis in the first round,” said senior midfielder Kate Cooper. “I know we’ve all said it, but our bond is what helped us reach the state tournament.

“I think this year, we have a lot to live up to if we want to make it back to state.”

Westwood will be without six starters from last year’s team, but does return a core of talented players, including the District 25-6A newcomer of the year sophomore midfielder Mia Wiele.

Wyrick is a three-year starter on defense, while goalkeeper Sam Walker will be back in the net for the Warriors.

“It’s going to take a lot of work for us to do what we did last year,” Walker said. “We are going to have to get to know each other well, that’s going to be the key to our success.”

Westwood at a glance

2023 record: 13-4-8

State tournament appearances: 8 (1983, 84, 86, 87, 92, 94, 99, 2023)

 Key returnees: Sam Walker, junior goalkeeper; Kylie Denton, junior forward; Kate Cooper, senior defender; Mia Wiele, sophomore midfielder; Kate Wyrick, junior defender; Paula Marza, junior defender.

Key newcomer: Sam Crider, freshman midfielder

Season opener: Cypress Woods, 5 p.m., Thursday at The Woodlands Tournament