Family act! Sisters, brothers and even cousins highlight UIL state soccer tournament

When Southlake Carroll takes the pitch on Friday at the UIL state soccer tournament, a pair of families will get to watch their two daughters on the biggest stage.

Payton and Parker Wilkerson, and Hanna and Maddie Khan have helped the Dragons reach the Class 6A state semifinals, sitting two wins away from a state title.

Carroll (20-1-4) plays Austin Westlake (20-3) at noon from Birkelbach Field in Georgetown.

It’s the program’s second trip to state in the past three postseasons since winning the 6A crown in 2019.

“Winning a championship is something we’ve talked about and dreamed about,” said Parker Wilkerson, a freshman defender. “We’ve worked hard together training and pushing each other for years. To be this close to accomplishing this goal is crazy to think about.”

The Dragons clinched a spot at the state tournament after eliminating Flower Mound Marcus 2-0 in the Region 1 final. Hanna Khan, a senior, scored in the 76th minute.

Khan is second on the team with 22 goals.

Maddie, a junior, has six goals and 10 assists this season. She was an eighth-grader when Hanna was a freshman on the 2019 championship team.

“These past few years playing with Maddie has definitely strengthened our relationship. She followed my playoff journey throughout 2019 and ever since then, winning state has been one of her dreams, so getting the opportunity to possibly fulfill that together is super exciting,” said Hanna Khan, who’s committed to Trinity University.

But Carroll isn’t the only team in Georgetown to have siblings this season.

The Grapevine girls also have two sets of sisters in Caroline and Sydney Martin, and Ella and Grace Hampton.

Grapevine (21-2-1) is at state for the fifth time in the last seven postseasons. It plays Boerne Champion (20-3-3) at noon Thursday.

“We’re super close. We’re only two years apart in age so we’ve always been in school together somewhat,” said Sydney Martin, who’s committed to Gardner-Webb. “We’re each other’s biggest fans on the field especially since we play in the midfield together so being on a team together has brought us closer.”

Grace and Ella Hampton are junior and sophomore forwards.

Sydney is a senior holding midfielder.

Caroline is a sophomore attacking midfielder. She scored a goal in the regional final against Colleyville Heritage. Grapevine won 4-2.

It’s the second straight year the sisters have played together after helping Grapevine reach the state semifinals last season.

“I love playing with my sister. We have a great connection and it’s even better this year because it’s her last year so we’re closer than ever,” said Caroline, who has seven goals and five assists.

But the list doesn’t stop there.

Other siblings include Midlothian Heritage’s Logan (senior) and Maddie Berumen (sophomore), Celina’s Mia (junior) and Ella Norman (freshman), Celina’s Seth (junior) and William Brown (freshman), Frisco Wakeland’s Olivia (senior) and Dayleigh Bos (sophomore), Rockwall’s Madelyn (senior) and Brinlee Weir (sophomore) and Rockwall’s Miranda (junior) and Morgan Countryman (freshman).

“I’ve been fortunate enough to already be in the program for almost three years and have had many great leaders to look up to,” said Payton Wilkerson, who’s committed to Illinois State. “I’ve always tried to be a good mentor to both Parker, and my younger sister Presley in life and in general, but especially in soccer.

“It’s good to see it paying off. They’re both excelling greatly in both club soccer and school soccer, and I’m excited to see what they accomplish together even after I graduate next year.”

Trimble Tech’s Daniel (senior) and Ben Jimenez (junior) are cousins.

They’ve helped the Bulldogs reach state for the first time in program history.

Tech (26-3-1) plays Frisco Wakeland in a 5A semifinal at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

“To play at state with my cousin is something that makes it more unique and exciting, especially here at Trimble Tech,” said Daniel Jimenez. “We both almost have the same goals in life so to win state together would be a dream for both and a memory we would never forget.”

This story was originally published April 13, 2022 at 1:15 PM.