By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal
GEORGETOWN — One match needed a late winner. The other never felt in doubt.
Montgomery Lake Creek survived a furious second-half rally to claim the Class 5A Division II state championship, while Prosper Walnut Grove completed a perfect season with a commanding win in the 5A Division I final Friday at Birkelbach Field.
Lake Creek answers late rally, edges Grapevine for 5A-DII state title
Montgomery Lake Creek survived a wild second half rally to defeat Grapevine 3-2 in the UIL Class 5A Division II state championship.
Lake Creek (18-6-2) appeared in control early, building a 2-0 lead behind first-half goals from Lainy Zabriegala and Hallie Montgomery, with Zabriegala assisting on the second score.
But Grapevine (18-6-6) stormed back in the second half. Maddison Patton scored twice — once in the 64th minute and again in the 72nd — to erase the deficit and swing momentum firmly to the Mustangs.
With the match suddenly level and headed toward a dramatic finish, Lake Creek delivered the final blow. Just over two minutes after Grapevine’s equalizer, Harper Montgomery found the net in the 74th minute, scoring what proved to be the game-winning goal.
Lake Creek finished with a 13-10 edge in shots, including nine on goal, while goalkeeper Pyper Johnson made five saves to help preserve the victory down the stretch.
Walnut Grove blanks College Station to cap perfect season
Prosper Walnut Grove capped a dominant season with a 2-0 win over College Station in the UIL Class 5A Division I state championship Friday.
Walnut Grove (31-0) controlled the match throughout, outshooting College Station 8-0 and holding the Cougars without a shot on goal.
Isaac Marah opened the scoring in the first half, finding the net in the 33rd minute, before Mason Kutch added an insurance goal early in the second half.
College Station (16-8-4) struggled to generate offense and finished without a shot, while goalkeeper Andres Martinez-Salazar recorded one save. Walnut Grove goalkeeper Quinn Shelton secured the shutout without facing a shot on target.
The match turned more physical late, with four yellow cards issued and College Station reduced to 10 men following a red card in the 75th minute.
