Soccer

UIL boys state soccer tournament: Austin area team previews, players to watch and more

Vandegrift’s Lars Spinetta (3) passes the ball downfield in the Class 6A-IV regional championship match on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at Comalander Field in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams/On the Sidelines Sports)

By Michael Adams
madams@onthesidelinesports.com

Here is everything you need to know about this weekend’s UIL boys state soccer tournament at Georgetown. You can find the grils tournament preview here.

State tournament schedule

State semifinals

at Birkelbach Field, Georgetown

Class 6A

Duncanville (20-2-3) vs. Katy Seven Lakes (23-1-2), 5 p.m., Friday

Vandegrift (22-2-2) vs. Lewisville Flower Mound (22-2-2), 7:30 p.m., Friday

Championship: 6:30 p.m., Saturday

Class 5A

Glenn (29-0-1) vs. Frisco Wakeland (18-5-3), 5 p.m., Thursday

Midlothian (23-2-3) vs. Baytown Goose Creek (21-3-2), 7:30 p.m., Thursday

Championship: 1:30 p.m., Saturday

You can find the full schedule here

Vandegrift’s Rahul Gupta (22) putshes the ball toward the goal box in the Class 6A-IV regional championship match on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at Comalander Field in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams/On the Sidelines Sports)

Austin-area players to watch

Daniel Manevich, Vandegrift, senior goalkeeper

The Vipers’ goalkeeper has only allowed 1 goal in the playoffs.

Raul Gupta, Vandegrift, senior midfielder

The captain scored one of three goals in the regional final to help Vandegrift reach the stat tournament.

Vince Rodriguez, Glenn, senior forward

Glenn’s captain forward and leading scorer has helped the Grizzlies reach the state tournament.

Mason Settler, Glenn, senior goalkeeper

The man in the net allowed his first goal in the playoffs in the Region IV-5A final

Austin-area teams at state

Vandegrift head coach Jonathan Winship smiles after the Vipers defeated Edinburg North in the Class 6A-IV regional championship match on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at Comalander Field in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams/On the Sidelines Sports)

Class 6A

Vandegrift Vipers

Record: 22-2-2

The road to Georgetown: def. Akins 4-0; San Antonio Brandies 4-1; Bowie 1-0 (OT); San Antonio Harlan 1-0 (SO); Edinburg North 3-0.

State tournament appearances: 1 (2024)

State championships: none

Notable: The District 25-6A champions were one of the favorites going into the playoffs. However, the road to Georgetown hasn’t come with adversity. The Vipers stunned then-undefeated Bowie in the regional quarterfinals in double overtime and beat San Antonio Harlan in the regional semifinals in penalty kicks. Vandegrift drew the No. 2 seed in the Class 6A tournament and will play a Flower Mound team that beat 6A-favorite Allen in the regional quarterfinals.

Class 5A

Glenn Grizzlies

Record: 29-0-1

The road to Georgetown: def. New Braunfels Canyon 6-0; San Antonio Harlandale 2-0; San Antonio Pieper 2-0; Corpus Christ Flour Bluff 4-0; Brownsvile Lopez 2-1

State tournament appearances: 1 (2024)

State championships: none

Notable: Glenn has rolled through the playoffs with the Grizzlies’ only challenge coming against Brownsville Lopez in the regional final. A tie against rival Leander is the only blemish to Glenn’s near perfect record. Despite being the No. 1 seed in the Class 5A tournament, the Grizzlies have the toughest state semifinal matchup in five-time state champion Frisco Wakeland, who is 7-1 all-time in state semifinals.