Soccer

Boys soccer area rankings (2/27): Vista Ridge takes over the top spot in Class 6A, Northeast falls to No. 2 in 4A

By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal

The Vista Ridge Rangers pulled of a huge victory Tuesday, defeating last year’s state semifinalist Vandegrift in a 3-2 decision at home.

The Rangers (15-1-1, 10-1 District 25-6A) are one of the hottest teams in the Austin metropolitan area and have won eight straight games.

Led by senior J Mossholder (21 goals), Vista Ridge holds a five-point lead over the Vipers and Westwood in the district standings as the regular season heads into its final two weeks. McNeil (12-4-1, 7-4-1) sits in fourth place just three points behind Westwood and Vandegrift.

Speaking of McNeil, the Mavericks and Bowie make their debuts in the Austin Sports Journal’s weekly soccer rankings.

Bowie (10-6-1, 5-3-1 District 26-6A) has a huge showdown with Westlake that could have playoff implications for both teams.

The 26-6A race is going to come down to the wire as five teams are within striking distance of each other at the top of the standings, very similar to 2023.

First-place Lake Travis (10-4-1, 6-1-1-) holds a two-point lead over Dripping Springs (8-5-3, 5-2-2), while Bowie (10-6-1, 5-3-1) is three points behind the Cavaliers and one point behind the Tigers.

Del Valle (9-5-3, 4-3-2) and Westlake (8-5-4, 4-2-2) are tied for fourth place, but are only five points behind Lake Travis and two points behind Bowie for third place.

In Class 4A, Austin Northeast (11-4-1, 11-1 District 25-4) suffered its first district loss of the season on Feb. 14 to next-door neighbor Austin Achieve (11-4-1, 10-1). Senior Emmanuel Aranda led the Polar Bears with two goals in the 4-1 decision.

The Raiders, led by junior Luis Carlos Vargas (14 goals), hold a three-point advantage over Austin Achieve in the district standings. Both teams split the regular season series.

Another 4A district race to keep an eye on is 24-4A where Salado (14-2-3, 11-0) and Manor New Tech (16-3, 10-1) are on a collision course for their March 4 showdown at Manor New Tech.


Led by junior Gabriel Merriman (16 goals), the Eagles have won 10 straight and escaped with a 2-1 victory over the Titans on Jan. 31. Manor New Tech has won six straight.

This week’s rankings

The Austin Sports Journal’s rankings are determined each week by information reported on MaxPreps. The ASJ uses overall records and strength of schedule to rank teams for each classification. Private schools are considered for the 4A & others top five.

Please email publisher Michael Adams with any record corrections at madams@austinsportsjournal.com. 

Class 6A

RK, TEAMRECORDLW
1. Vista Ridge15-1-12        
2. Vandegrift12-2-21
3. Lake Travis10-4-14
4. McNeil12-4-1–
5. Bowie10-6-1–

Dropped out: McNeil, New Braunfels Canyon

Others: McNeil (12-4-1), Del Valle (9-5-3), Westlake (8-5-4)  

Class 5A

RK, TEAMRECORDLW
1. Bastrop13-0-41
2. Glenn16-2-12
3. Pieper15-4-13                     
4. East View10-2-44
5. Cedar Park9-2-3–

Dropped out: Lockhart

Others: Lockhart (12-4-1), LASA (8-3-5), Connally (10-5-2)

Class 4A & others

RK, TEAMRECORDLW
1. Salado14-2-32
2. Austin Northeast14-21
3. Manor New Tech16-3-03
4. Austin Achieve11-4-15
5. St. Michael’s12-4-24

Dropped out: None

Others: Giddings (10-6), Marble Falls (10-5-2), Burnet (7-8-1)

Five matches to watch

Bowie at Westlake, 7:30 p.m., Friday

Lake Travis at Dripping Springs, 7:30 p.m., Friday

Connally at East View, 7:15 p.m., Friday

Salado at Manor New Tech, 7:15 p.m., Tuesday

Westwood at Round Rock, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday