Houston girls soccer wins third state championship in four years

Khari Thompson
Memphis Commercial Appeal
Houston's Kate Handel holds the trophy as she and her teammates celebrate after defeating Collierville in their Class AAA soccer championship match Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

MURFREESBORO — For the second straight year, Houston defeated Collierville in the Class AAA girls soccer state championship game by a score of 1-0.

"It was one goal we figured that was what was going to be needed," said Houston coach David Wolff. "I thought we had the advantage because we were going downhill in the second half. This field is sort of sloped and by gaining the lower end I thought we would have a lot more legs than they did at the end of the game."

The win marks Houston's third state championship in four years. The Mustangs won in 2015 and lost to Franklin in the 2016 semifinals.

Houston's Cara Young found the back of the net with 10:36 left in the second half, and the Mustang defense sealed the deal with a commanding shutout performance. 

"We actually talked about this in warm-ups, crossing the ball, and our center-forward letting me go," said Young. "So I told her to leave and she listened to me and I had an open shot and it worked just as planned." 

Houston finished the season with a 21-2 overall record.

Earlier in the state tournament, the Mustangs blanked Maryville and beat Ravenwood by three goals to reach Saturday's championship match with Collierville.

Collierville had beaten Houston 2-1 in the regular-season finale, but the Mustangs were able to pull out the win in the championship game. 

"It was just a great team effort and to win three state championships in four years is just unbelievable," said Young. "Definitely a great thing to be a part of." 

Houston's Parker Gelinas (12) and her teammates celebrate in the final seconds of their Class AAA soccer championship match against Collierville Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.