Target On Their Backs

Memorial girls soccer begins title defense with new-look team

Memorial girls soccer begins title defense with new-look team
The Mustangs are returning just four starters after graduating nine seniors. Via Vype

Originally Appeared on Vype

THE BAR'S BEEN LIFTED FOR HOUSTON MEMORIAL'S GIRLS SOCCER PROGRAM AFTER THE MUSTANGS ROLLED TO THE CLASS 6A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP LAST SEASON VIA A 28-0-1 CAMPAIGN.

But as they look to defend their title in 2019, the Mustangs will do so with a new batch of talent, returning just four starters after graduating nine seniors.

Not only that, but two of last season's standouts in forward Grace Collins (TCU-signee), the Texas Girls Coaches Association's Girls Soccer Player of the Year in 2018, and midfielder Maddie Dichiara (Oklahoma signee) elected not to play their senior seasons.

"It's been a phenomenal situation," Memorial coach Lindley Amarantos said. "Now we feel like we have a giant target on our back, and it's a different team this year. A new set of girls."

The Mustangs will lean on junior midfielder and University of Texas verbal commit Kelsey Hranicky, who has taken on more of a leadership role and boasts terrific technical skills that makes her hard to defend. Memorial will also look to junior midfielder Blakeley Buckingham, a first-year starter who had already notched two goals through the first three games this season.

More on Memorial Soccer here

Most Popular

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome

Listen Live

ESPN Houston 97.5 FM
Kyle Tucker returns to Houston this weekend. Composite Getty Image.

Two first-place teams, identical records, and a weekend set with serious measuring-stick energy.

The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs open a three-game series Friday night at Daikin Park, in what could quietly be one of the more telling matchups of the summer. Both teams enter at 48-33, each atop their respective divisions — but trending in slightly different directions.

The Astros have been red-hot, going 7-3 over their last 10 while outscoring opponents by 11 runs. They've done it behind one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, with a collective 3.41 ERA that ranks second in the American League. Houston has also been dominant at home, where they’ve compiled a 30-13 record — a stat that looms large heading into this weekend.

On the other side, the Cubs have held their ground in the NL Central but have shown some recent shakiness. They're 5-5 over their last 10 games and have given up 5.66 runs per game over that stretch. Still, the offense remains dangerous, ranking fifth in on-base percentage across the majors. Kyle Tucker leads the way with a .287 average, 16 homers, and 49 RBIs, while Michael Busch has been hot of late, collecting 12 hits in his last 37 at-bats.

Friday’s pitching matchup features Houston’s Brandon Walter (0-1, 3.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and Chicago’s Cade Horton (3-1, 3.73 ERA, 1.29 WHIP), a promising young arm making one of his biggest starts of the season on the road. Horton will have his hands full with Isaac Paredes, who’s slugged 16 homers on the year, and Mauricio Dubón, who’s found a groove with four home runs over his last 10 games.

It’s the first meeting of the season between these two clubs — and if the trends continue, it may not be the last time they cross paths when it really counts.

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -112, Cubs -107; over/under is 8 1/2 runs

Here's a preview of Joe Espada's Game 1 lineup.

The first thing that stands out is rookie Cam Smith is hitting cleanup, followed by Jake Meyers. Victor Caratini is the DH and is hitting sixth. Christian Walker is all the way down at seventh, followed by Yainer Diaz, and Taylor Trammell who is playing left field.

How the mighty have fallen.

Pretty wild to see Walker and Diaz hitting this low in the lineup. However, it's justified, based on performance. Walker is hitting a pathetic .214 and Diaz is slightly better sporting a .238 batting average.

Screenshot via: MLB.com



___________________________

*ChatGPT assisted.

Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!

https://houston.sportsmap.com/advertise

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome