Riley Baker and Sydney Becerra’s second-half connections elevate Flower Mound women soccer to a second state title

Editor’s observe: This story has been up to date.

GEORGETOWN – Her teammates have been taking images and celebrating a 2-1 state championship win over Austin Vandegrift, however for a short second, Flower Mound junior Sydney Becerra needed to get away. She escaped down the sideline of Georgetown’s Birkelbach Discipline, took a seat in opposition to the again wall of the stadium seating, and put her head down.

Becerra did this for 2 causes.

One: Her feelings have been turning into overwhelming, and she or he didn’t wish to cry in entrance of all people.

Two: She needed to course of what simply occurred, and what was simply accomplished.

Underneath completely different circumstances, Becerra may not have been enjoying in Friday’s 6A state championship sport. She had performed for the U.S. Soccer Growth Academy her first two years of highschool, and she might’ve played a third if the academy hadn’t shut down last March. However when that occurred, Becerra pivoted for taking part in for her highschool crew. So did senior Riley Baker for her first and solely season for the Woman Jaguars.

The tandem, “companions in crime,” as Baker stated, have been important to Flower Mound’s state championship win over Vandegrift. Baker, a Kansas State signee, scored twice within the second half on assists by Becerra.

“It’s so becoming for her to get each of these assists,” stated Baker, a Kansas State signee who completed her solely highschool season with 27 objectives and 9 assists. “She units me up on a regular basis.”

With the additions of Baker and Becerra, Flower Mound coach Misail Tsapos thought he had two lacking items to a state championship image. He believed that, although, as a result of he knew what his crew was getting back from the 12 months earlier than.

Flower Mound ended final season because the No. 1 women 6A crew within the space rankings. If not for the COVID-19 pandemic, gamers and coaches on the crew consider they might’ve received a state title a 12 months in the past.

By the point the primary follow had ended, Baker may see why.

“I knew this crew was able to greatness,” Baker, named the state championship MVP, stated about her first follow with the crew, “and that’s precisely what we simply achieved.”

The crew established that potential by beating top-ranked Prosper 3-1 within the third spherical of the playoffs. After that the Jaguars defeated Northwest Eaton, crosstown rival Flower Mound Marcus and Conroe The Woodlands by a mixed rating of 12-0.

That dominance, nonetheless, didn’t carry over to the state title sport.

Vandegrift proved to be a troublesome process for the Woman Jaguars for almost all of Friday’s sport. Each defenses had solutions for the opposite groups’ assault. Within the first half Flower Mound outshot Vandegrift 4-3, however not one of the pictures ended behind the online.

At halftime, Tsapos stated he instructed his crew to stay targeted. He additionally preached the significance of controlling the midfield – a gaggle that included Becerra, junior Avery Simmons and junior Skye Leach – and stretching Vandegrift’s protection out vast.

“Let’s see if we will get behind them and create some alternatives,” Tsapos recalled telling his crew.

The sport plan labored, resulting in a purpose from Baker within the fifty fifth minute. Two minutes later, Vandegrift’s Lily Spencer made a highlight-reel purpose about 25-yards out from the far proper aspect to tie the sport at one.

About 10 minutes later, Becerra discovered Baker once more, who rifled a shot off her proper toe previous the Vandegrift goalie for what was the game-winning purpose.

The 2020 season, within the minds of these at Flower Mound, can be remembered by what may’ve been. However with the state title win on Friday, the 2021 season can be remembered by what occurred on Friday.

“We talked about all of it 12 months,” stated Tsapos, who led Flower Mound to a title in his first season there again in 2016. “We stated to maintain working, preserve working, they usually believed in me and the remainder of the teaching employees, and most significantly they believed in one another, they usually made it occur for us.”

It was an emotional season for Flower Mound capped off by an emotional celebration. A lot in order that Becerra wanted to take a second, sit by herself and course of all of it.

Earlier than the U.S. Soccer improvement academy shut down, Becerra and her household have been already contemplating the concept of enjoying her last season at Flower Mound. With the academy performed, Becerra obtained to affix her highschool teammates a 12 months early.

“That’s so loopy to me as a result of the primary 12 months I play, I win a state title,” stated Becerra, a Texas A&M pledge. “And never solely me, however Riley, too. It’s only a loopy feeling.”

As soon as Becerra had a second to course of all of it, a teammate got here as much as her and checked on her. They each obtained up and re-joined the remainder of their teammates in celebrating the state championship.

Watching from afar, Tsapos additionally had a second to look at his gamers and take within the second.

“I may do that each week,” he stated with a smile.

Photographs

Lewisville Flower Mound players celebrate with the trophy after their UIL 6A girls State championship soccer game against Austin Vandegrift at Birkelbach Field on April 16, 2021 in Georgetown, Texas. Lewisville Flower Mound won 2-1. (Thao Nguyen/Special Contributor)

1/12Lewisville Flower Mound gamers have a good time with the trophy after their UIL 6A women State championship soccer sport in opposition to Austin Vandegrift at Birkelbach Discipline on April 16, 2021 in Georgetown, Texas. Lewisville Flower Mound received 2-1. (Thao Nguyen/Particular Contributor)(Thao Nguyen)