By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal
GEORGETOWN — In a match defined by relentless pressure, pouring rain and one unforgettable performance in goal, Comal Pieper pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the UIL soccer state tournament.
Behind a 10-save masterpiece from goalkeeper Nolan Masker and a late second-half strike, Pieper stunned Frisco Wakeland 1-0 in the Class 5A Division II state championship Friday at Birkelbach Field.
Masker stands tall under pressure
Wakeland (26-2-1) controlled the match from the opening whistle.
The Wolverines dictated possession, created chances and peppered the Pieper goal throughout, finishing with a 14-4 advantage in shots and a 10-3 edge in shots on goal.
It didn’t matter.
Masker turned away everything.
From point-blank saves to diving stops in traffic, the Pieper goalkeeper delivered a championship-caliber performance, repeatedly denying Wakeland scoring opportunities, especially as heavy rain in the first half made conditions even more difficult.
“I was just staying as confident as I could,” Masker said. “I couldn’t have done anything without my team, we were very fortunate in the end.”
Pieper head coach Corwyn Ritch said Masker’s performance was the difference.
“If he hadn’t done what he did, this game might have been over early against us,” Ritch said.
One moment changes everything
For much of the night, Pieper (21-2-3) absorbed pressure and waited for its chance.
It came late.
In the 73rd minute, Jackson Blankenship delivered a ball into the box that found Jack Blische, who finished for the match’s lone goal and a 1-0 lead.
It was a classic counterattack.
“Sometimes, we just need that one chance,” Ritch said. “Soccer is a crazy game because it only takes one shot, one opportunity to turn the tide.”
Weather, pressure define first half
The opening 40 minutes were played in heavy rain, adding another layer of difficulty to an already tense championship match.
Wakeland pushed forward early, generating five first-half shots while controlling the tempo. Pieper, meanwhile, managed just two attempts and spent much of the half defending deep.
Through it all, Masker and the Pieper back line held firm, keeping the match scoreless heading into halftime.
Finishing the job
After taking the lead, Pieper still had work to do.
Wakeland continued to press, sending numbers forward and testing the defense with crosses and long-range efforts in the closing minutes.
But Masker delivered again and again.
“We never quit. We never gave up,” Ritch said. “We stayed in the fight until we found a way.”
A family double on the biggest stage
Friday’s championship wasn’t just a win for Pieper, it was part of a memorable day for one family.
Smithson Valley girls head coach Jason Adkins, whose Rangers captured a state title earlier in the day, had a pair of sons – Cooper and Parker – on the Pieper roster.
The two seniors played key roles in the defensive effort that helped preserve the shutout, anchoring a back line that withstood constant pressure from Wakeland’s attack.
It marked a rare and remarkable double, with a father and his sons all walking away as state champions on the same day.
A statement win
The victory caps a remarkable run for the Warriors and will be remembered as one of the biggest upsets of the tournament.
Even Masker acknowledged the moment.
“Many people are going to call this the upset of the tournament,” he said. “We played an amazing team, we were very fortunate in the end.”
More photos from the game
Box score
| 1 | 2 | F | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comal Pieper | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Frisco Wakeland | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Goals: Comal Pieper – Jack Blische (72:29, Jackson Blankenship)