Kingwood downs Forney on PKs for state title

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

GEORGETOWN, TEXAS (April 11, 2026) The Kingwood girls soccer team brought home the UIL Class 6A Division II state title on Saturday. The Mustangs beat Forney in a thrilling match that went to penalty kicks. It was an exciting day for Houston soccer fans.

The game took place in Georgetown, Texas. Forney scored first in the opening half. Addison Smith put the ball in the net about 33 minutes into the match. Kingwood stayed strong and kept fighting.
With just 46 seconds left in regular time, Kingwood senior midfielder Tyler Weaver (shown above right, white kit) tied the score at 1-1. Her goal sent the game into overtime. Both teams played hard for two extra periods, but no one scored again.
In the end, Kingwood won the shootout 4-2. The Mustangs stayed calm and made their kicks count. Forney played a great season too, but Kingwood came out on top.Kingwood finished the year with an amazing record of 27-0-2. They went the whole season without a loss. This marks their first state championship since 1999 and the third in program history.

Klein Cain wins second straight soccer title

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

GEORGETOWN, TEXAS (April 11, 2026) The Klein Cain Hurricanes are champions once again.

The Hurricanes beat the Atascocita Eagles 1-0 on Saturday to claim their second straight UIL Class 6A Division I boys soccer state title. It was a tough, low-scoring game between two strong Houston-area teams.

Both teams played hard on defense the whole match. They each had 15 fouls called on them. The game stayed scoreless for a long time. Atascocita had a big chance with a penalty kick in the first half, but Klein Cain goalie Donato Farina made a great diving save to keep the score 0-0.

Late in the game, Klein Cain finally broke through. Senior midfielder Noah Ballard (No. 23, shown above) stepped up and kicked a free kick from 26 yards out. The ball flew into the net with just under six minutes left. That goal was all the Hurricanes needed.

Atascocita pushed hard to tie the game, but Klein Cain’s defense held strong. Farina and his teammates made key stops to protect the lead.

Klein Cain finished the season 19-3-5. This win makes them the second Houston-area boys team to repeat as state champions in recent years.

Houston Gamblers down Birmingham Stallions with last-second field goal

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 5, 2026) With Grammy winning rapper Ludacris (shown right) preforming at halftime, the Houston Gamblers earned a thrilling 22–20 win over the Birmingham Stallions on a misty day in Houston, thanks to a last-second field goal from John Hoyland.

He made all five of his field goals, including a 50-yard kick as time expired to seal the victory. His strong performance helped head coach Kevin Sumlin earn his first win of the season.

Houston focused on running the ball early after struggling in Week One. The plan worked, but the team had trouble finishing drives. The Gamblers reached the red zone several times in the first half but only came away with two field goals.

Quarterback Sam Ehlinger was not available, and starter Dekkers left the game with an injury. Backup Nolan Henderson stepped in and gave the offense a boost. He used both his arm and legs to move the ball and keep drives alive.

The Stallions took a 7–6 lead before halftime after quarterback Matt Corral led a quick scoring drive. Birmingham added another touchdown in the third quarter to go up 14–6.

Houston kept fighting. Hoyland added more field goals to cut the lead, and running back Jalen White scored a key touchdown in the fourth quarter to put the Gamblers ahead 19–14.

Birmingham answered late with a rushing touchdown to take a 20–19 lead, but they missed the two-point try.

With less than two minutes left, Henderson led a clutch drive. On fourth down, he found Armani Rogers to keep the game alive.

That set up Hoyland’s game-winning kick as time expired.

Houston finished with over 400 yards of offense and showed big improvement from the week before. 

Houston Dynamo fall 1-0 in rain-soaked battle against Seattle Sounders FC

Photo credit: Houston Dynamo FC, Used with permission

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 4, 2026) The Houston Dynamo FC came up just short Saturday night, falling 1-0 to Seattle Sounders FC in a tough, rain-soaked battle at Shell Energy Stadium.

Heavy rain pushed kickoff back by 30 minutes, and the wet conditions stayed a factor all night. Still, Houston showed strong energy and created more chances than Seattle, even though the scoreboard didn’t reflect it.

The Dynamo controlled much of the match offensively. They finished with 13 shots and nine corner kicks.

Houston nearly struck early in the ninth minute. Mateusz Bogusz found a loose ball inside the box and fired a right-footed shot, but Seattle’s defense stepped in to block it.

Seattle tested Houston goalkeeper Jonathan Bond in the 21st minute. Bond reacted quickly, diving low to his left to stop a shot from Jesús Ferreira and keep the match scoreless.

Houston kept pushing forward. In the 29th minute, Guilherme Biro dribbled into the box and fired a shot toward the near post, but Seattle goalkeeper Andrew Thomas made the save. Guilherme stayed active after halftime, putting another shot on target in the 47th minute, but Thomas again came through.

The Dynamo continued to apply pressure as the second half went on. In the 65th minute, Bogusz got another good look after a pass from Guilherme, but his shot was stopped by a diving save from Thomas.

Houston also saw key moments off the field. Defender Franco Negri made his first start for the club, while defender Sam Vines made his Dynamo debut after signing earlier in the week. Late in the match, forward Aliyu Ibrahim entered in the 88th minute to mark his 100th career MLS appearance.

Despite Houston’s strong effort, Seattle found the breakthrough late. In the 83rd minute, Paul Rothrock scored near the far post to give the Sounders a 1-0 lead. It was Seattle’s best chance of the night, and they made it count.

Houston pushed forward in the final minutes, but Seattle’s defense held firm to secure the win.

While the result was disappointing, the Dynamo showed signs of progress. They created chances, controlled possession at times, and kept pressure on one of the league’s top teams. Now, the focus turns to finishing those chances.

Houston will look to bounce back next weekend when they travel to face the Colorado Rapids on April 11 at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. CT

Houston Dash rally to secure 4-3 win over Racing Louisville FC

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 3, 2026) The Houston Dash delivered a thrilling night of soccer on Friday, rallying late to defeat Racing Louisville FC 4–3 at Shell Energy Stadium. The dramatic finish pushed Houston’s unbeaten home streak to seven matches, dating back to last season, and gave the team nine points through its first four games of 2026.

The match had no shortage of excitement, as both teams traded goals and momentum throughout. In fact, it was the first game in National Women’s Soccer League history to feature four penalty kick goals.

Racing Louisville struck first in the 23rd minute. After a handball inside the box, Louisville was awarded a penalty kick. Taylor Flint stepped up and calmly converted to give the visitors a 1–0 lead.

Houston answered before halftime. In the 39th minute, forward Kat Rader (shown above) was brought down inside the box, earning a penalty for the Dash. Rader took the shot herself and buried it, leveling the score at 1–1. The rookie continues to impress early in the season, now with two goals and one assist.

Louisville regained the lead just after halftime, scoring in the 48th minute off a rebound inside the box. But Houston wasted no time responding. Just two minutes later, midfielder Kiki Van Zanten dribbled to the top of the box and fired a shot past the goalkeeper to tie the match once again.

Van Zanten was not done. In the 67th minute, she struck again. After her first shot was blocked, she stayed with the play and finished the rebound with a left-footed shot into the bottom corner. The goal gave Houston a 3–2 lead and marked her second brace of the season. She now leads the league in goals with four and has been one of the team’s hottest players, scoring four goals in her last two home matches.

Van Zanten spoke in the post-match press conference about the team aspect of the night's win.

“During off season, we worked a lot on our interpersonal relationships on the team; learning each other’s tendencies, what players like to do when they’re on the ball, that dictates my movements. What feels different is that I have confidence. This is my third year in the league and I had the pleasure of starting quite a few games last year and you get confidence over repetition. I also believe the chemistry in this group is great. We all have each other’s backs, which is so rare.”  

 

Louisville fought back once more. In the 81st minute, they were awarded another penalty kick after a foul inside the box. Flint converted again, tying the game at 3–3 and setting up a tense finish.

As the clock ticked into stoppage time, it looked like both teams would settle for a draw. But Houston had one last push.

In the ninth minute of second-half stoppage time, Van Zanten was taken down inside the box, giving the Dash a final chance from the penalty spot. Midfielder Sarah Puntigam stepped up and delivered under pressure, scoring her first NWSL goal to secure a dramatic 4–3 victory.

The late goal sent the home crowd into celebration and capped off one of the most exciting matches of the season so far.

Houston created several chances throughout the night. Defender Leah Klenke recorded the team’s first shot early in the second minute, while goalkeeper Jane Campbell made key saves to keep the Dash in the game. Midfielder Danny Colaprico also played an important role, earning an assist and continuing to climb the league’s all-time minutes list.

The match also saw some important returns and debuts. Midfielder Sophie Schmidt rejoined the lineup after being removed from the season-ending injury list. Forward Messiah Bright made her first start of the season, and defender Lisa Boattin made her 2026 debut off the bench.

With the win, the Dash set a new club record for most goals scored through the first four games of a season. They also continue to build strong momentum at home.

Houston will now pause for the international break, with eight players leaving for national team duty. The Dash return to action on Saturday, April 25, when they host the North Carolina Courage at Shell Energy Stadium.