The eyes of Texas soccer fans turn to Georgetown, Texas this weekend for the 2017 University Interscholastic League (UIL) 6A Soccer State Tournament, and No. 5 Jesuit Dallas is set to compete on the pitch for its second UIL state title. A dominant defensive team throughout the postseason, Jesuit enters the weekend, which will begin against Juarez-Lincoln at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 14, yielding only two goals to five playoff opponents, shutting out four foes during an electric postseason run.
 
UIL 6A SOCCER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINAL
NO. 5 JESUIT DALLAS VS. NO. 15 JUAREZ-LINCOLN
FRIDAY, APR. 14, 7:30 P.M. • BIRKELBACH STADIUM (GEORGETOWN, TEXAS)

TICKET PRICES

Students: $7.00
Adults: $12.00
All-Tournament Pass: $30.00
Parking (Friday & Saturday)$5.00

 
How to Watch
 
Ranger fans have several options to keep tabs on the Blue and Gold this weekend:
 

 
Shutout City
 
Jesuit, ranked fifth in the state according to TopDrawerSoccer, enters Friday's game with three consecutive playoff shutouts, beginning with a 2-0 win over Mesquite in the regional quarterfinal round (April 4), continuing with a 2-0 win over Stony Point in the regional semi (April 7) and most recently concluding with a 2-0 shutout against Sachse (April 8). The Rangers have not allowed a goal in over 250 minutes of game time, last yielding a goal in the 57th minute of a 3-2 win over College Park on March 31. The Jesuit Dallas defense has suffocated opponents attempting to get inside the penalty area, forcing foes to take long-range attempts that rarely challenge the goalkeeping tandem of Luke Ostrander and Joseph Banul. In Jesuit's five playoff games, opponents average 15.6 shots per game, but only send 46.2 percent of attempts on target. One key component is the dedicated defensive line, which includes seniors Jonah Brunel, Alex Garcia, James LaRoe, Reilly Minigutti and David Morgado alongside juniors Andrew Gilchrist and Israel Ollarzabal.
 
Spreading the Success
 
Seven members of the Rangers' roster have scored during the team's run through the UIL 6A State Soccer Tournament, led by junior Christian Lerma, who has two goals and three assists to his credit heading into Friday. Senior Tommy Flaim, the reigning Jesuit Dallas Ranger of the Week, logged a goal and assist for the Rangers during last weekend's run to the regional championship. Entering the state tournament with two goals and an assist, Flaim converted a penalty kick against Sachse to put the Rangers ahead early in the contest. Senior Ethan Moore has scored twice, adding an assist, while classmate Will Kennard headed in the game-winner against Mesquite, and has scored two postseason goals. Senior Chase Burciaga currently leads the team during the postseason with four assists, while fellow fourth year Reilly Minigutti and junior Andrew Gilchrist have also reached the scoring column.
 
Scouting Juarez-Lincoln
 
The Huskies enter the state tournament with a 30-3-1 record, and are making the first UIL 6A State Tournament appearance in program history after beginning varsity play in 2009. Under the leadership of Victor Ramos, the Huskies also enter Friday's game on a three-game shutout streak, blanking Laredo United, 3-0, San Antonio Johnson, 3-0 and Edinburg North, 1-0, in the regional quarters, semis and finals, respectively. The UIL District 30-6A Champions are led by district most valuable player Manuel Castrejon, who has more than 20 goals to his credit this year.
 
Eyes on the Prize
 
On Saturday, April 15, the winner of the Jesuit Dallas/Juarez-Lincoln game will take on the victor of Saturday's first game between Arlington Sam Houston and Pasadena Dobie in the UIL 6A Soccer State Championship at 6:30 p.m. Sam Houston (21-2-2) enters the weekend as the top-ranked team in Texas according to TopDrawerSoccer, while Dobie (20-2-4) is currently ranked second.