Belief, talent fuels Haltom girls soccer’s best run in decades
After leaving the soccer coaching profession for a couple of years, Miles Perry realized he was part of something special and returned this season to continue a mission he began in 2021: turning around the Haltom girls’ program.
Now, he and the Buffaloes are having their best season in decades.
“I jumped at the opportunity to return - the corporate world wasn’t for me,” Perry said with a chuckle.
The Buffs (11-7-1, 4-7 District 8-6A) are one win away from clinching their first winning season since 2015. They are chasing only the third playoff berth in team history - it would be the first since 1992.
The biggest change
“In my opinion, the biggest change has been the belief within the team that they can compete with anyone. The girls really bought into what I was trying to accomplish on and off the field,” Perry said. “The girls have enjoyed the drills and soccer-specific stuff we have done this year, but at the end of the day, none of that matters if they don’t believe they can win.
“We knew we had the talent this year, but it took a few games for the girls to actually believe they could compete at the highest level. We tied Richland - hadn’t done that in a long time - and we started playing really well after that.”
The Buffs set a program record for the biggest margin of victory when they defeated Fort Worth Poly 12-0. They had state-ranked South Grand Prairie on the ropes before falling 1-0 on a goal with 1:11 left to play.
“Even though that result was a loss, the team realized that we weren’t just hitting them with coach speak when we told them they could play with anyone in the state,” Perry said.
Selfless seniors
Perry said one thing that really makes this team special is the attitude of some seniors who do not play meaningful minutes. Only four of his eight seniors play regularly as starters.
“It’s always hard as a coach when you have good kids that you can’t find minutes for. But these girls continue to show up and work and take advantage of any opportunities that do arise,” he said. “It has been one of my absolute favorite things to watch this year. They cheer for their teammates when we score, they pay attention to what is going on during the game, and they even have input during our halftime team talks.
“I’ve told them how much I appreciate their attitude and what they do for us, and that it makes it even harder for me to see them not play much.”
Perry said it has been cool to come back and get to coach them as seniors after having them as freshmen when the Buffs went winless in district.
Midfielder Marely Jaquez was one of those freshmen/now seniors. She’s going to play at Northeast Texas Community College next year.
“I started out as a freshman on varsity playing against teams like Southlake and Byron Nelson, which made me think we would never be a playoff team,” she said. “I met with Coach Perry at the beginning of this year, and we both vowed to make this a special season.”
Fellow senior forward and captain Gaby Castillo added, “This season means so much to me because it has shown me that your mindset really makes a difference. Believing in ourselves has really let our hard work show on the field.”
Talented underclassmen
Perry said this is where things get really exciting.
Among the four freshmen who start is the second leading scorer, Izabella Gonzalez. Jocelyn Garcia, a team captain who plays every minute of every game, is also a freshman.
Three sophomores start, including goalkeeper Gladys Ramirez. A trio of juniors round out the starting 11, including leading scorer Polina Pavlenko and top defender, centerback Fernanda Martinez.
Junior forward and captain Delilah Garcia noted, “This year we have raised the standard and brought more accountability, focus, and belief into everything we do. That mindset has made us stronger, and it is a big reason why this season has been so special and successful.”
Sophomore forward and captain Giselle Salas said improving alongside her teammates has been an amazing ride.
“I’m so grateful to have discovered the potential and talent I hold within myself,” she said. “This season has been more than just soccer; it’s been a testament to what we can achieve together.”
Perry smiled and chimed in, “Needless to say, we feel pretty good about the future.”
Setting records
The Buffs have set numerous team records this season. Pavlenko and Gonzalez have each broken the previous scoring record (16 by Pavlenko last season) and continue to add to their totals.
Pavlenko is also the career goal-scoring leader.
Also, the team has set a single-season record for goals scored and fewest surrendered. In addition, Perry noted that the 11 victories are the most he’s found looking through the team’s history.
Eleven different players have scored a goal this season, also a school record.
“Put simply, this has been the most special season of any sport I’ve ever been involved with,” Perry said.
Over the hump
The Buffs recently defeated Arlington Lamar 4-0, a team that beat them twice last season by scores of 9-0 and 4-0.
“It was a real ‘over the hump’ moment for our program,” Perry said.
Perry said the reaction from the campus and community has been awesome.
“There’s a buzz around campus with the girls’ soccer team right now that has never happened,” he said. “The girls are proud to tell people they play for our team, and they love representing our community.”
This story was originally published March 5, 2026 at 5:00 AM.