Frisco Wakeland defeats Colleyville Heritage in Class 5A girls soccer state championship
Frisco Wakeland girls soccer celebrated its fourth state championship and an undefeated season at Birkelbach field as Colleyville Heritage players looked on with dejected looks on their faces and tears in their eyes.
Both Colleyville Heritage and Frisco Wakeland entered the girls Class 5A soccer state championship without suffering a loss in the 2024 season, and the Wolverines got the upper hand with a 3-2 victory on Saturday.
Wakeland head coach Jimmie Lankford, with a 3-0 lead and four minutes remaining, subbed in his bench to give all players and opportunity to participate in the championship game. The Panthers nearly made the decision backfire.
“They’ve shown all season they never give up and they fight right to the very end,” Colleyville Heritage head coach Monte Pace said. “Hats off to Wakeland.”
Colleyville Heritage freshman Addison Shimmick scored consecutive goals to cut a 3-0 Wolverine lead, but the Panthers couldn’t record the equalizer with less than two minutes remaining.
Wakeland girls soccer has championship wins in the 2011, 2018 and 2022 seasons. The 2024 championship further solidifies the Wolverines as a Texas soccer powerhouse.
Lankford credited Colleyville Heritage (24-1-2) for having a great team and said his team executed the game plan well.
“Our kids played as well today as we have all year long,” Lankford said. “Our defense was lock down.”
The first half was a stalemate with both teams failing to score. The Panther and Wolverine offenses controlled the ball well at midfield but struggled to get into the box. Wakeland (26-0-2) did have two chances at the net but couldn’t finish.
The Wolverines took a lead with a goal from Audrey Gilbert, who was named the championship most valuable player. Sophie Altieri sent a cross into the box and Gilbert scored with a header.
“It felt good after a lot of missed opportunities,” Gilbert said. “We were finally able to put one in the back but I knew we needed more.”
Wakeland extended its lead with another goal from Gilbert, who was assisted by Finley McKight. The pass threaded the needle through the Panther defense and into the box.
Wakeland’s last goal followed two saves from Colleyville Heritage goalie Juliana Grider. She couldn’t keep control of the ball following two blocked shots and Ana Carrera put in an easy, open shot.
Heritage found itself in a deficit, but Pace said he knew his team would continue to fight.
“Wakeland played a great game and they found some goals and we had to kind of push to chase,” Pace said. “But I’m really not surprised at all that we were able to get some at the end because this team has a lot of fight in them.”
Colleyville Heritagr finished with seven shot and three were on the goal. Wakeland, on the other hand, had 13 shots, eight of which were on target. Grider made five saves while Wakeland had one.
Pace said its been a privilege to coach the current senior class and credited them for their maturity, leadership and kindness.
“It’s been a great four year ride with them,” Pace said. “They came in and they brought a lot of momentum with them. And our trajectory as a program really was on the rise as soon as they got here and they’ve won a lot of games. We’ve been very successful. They’re great kids. They’re great leaders.”
Shimmick, a freshman, was a bright spot for Colleyville Heritage in the contest and led the Panthers in postseason goals. He said the seniors will be missed but the young talent makes the program’s future bright.
“I’m very excited to continue this journey next year,” Pace said.
Colleyville Heritage girls soccer was one win away from securing its first title in the 1999 season. The victory would’ve completed a back-to-back for Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Athletics; the Grapevine Mustangs won the title in the 2023 season.
“It’s always going to be disappointing when you lose, but I’m very proud of the effort,” Pace said. “I think we left it all out on the field today. We did everything that we could and I’m super proud of the girls. They’ve been amazing all year.”
Colleyville Heritage, as a school, has had a very successful year with many athletic programs but did not win a state title. Panther football made it to the regional quarterfinals, volleyball made it to the state semifinal, boys basketball reached the regional semifinal and girls basketball made the regional quarterfinals.
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This story was originally published April 13, 2024 at 1:15 PM.
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