Allen defender Andres Lopez (8) attempts to block the pass by Arlington Sam Houston Jose Rubio (8) during the second half of a UIL area round boys soccer playoff game at Tommy Standridge Stadium in Carrollton, Texas, Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
Bob Booth
Special to the Star-Telegram
CARROLLTON
Since a boys soccer state title game appearance in 2017, Arlington Sam Houston boys athletic teams have struggled to break through.
The football, basketball and soccer teams hadn’t won a playoff game in that span — until Sam Houston soccer’s 3-2 bi-district victory over Irving. And in the area round against Allen, Texas’ largest school that turned in a 6,798 enrollment snapshot, the Texans hoped to topple a school nearly double their size.
“Our community needed it,” Hernandez said of the playoff win. “They live and breathe soccer. The boys understand that. And they love representing the east side of Arlington.”
Arlington Sam Houston Edson Morin (11) and Allen midfielder Harsh Kumar (5) cross the pitch during the second half of a UIL area round boys soccer playoff game at Tommy Standridge Stadium in Carrollton, Texas, Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
But in a close game, the Texans’ fell 2-1 Tuesday after Allen’s Mason Leslie scored a game winning goal with less than a minute left. It was a heartbreaking end to a very strong season for the Texans.
“It’s one of the best teams I’ve coached,” Sam Houston coach Sergio Hernandez said with a tear in his eye. “We’re going to return a lot next year. An unbelievable fight these boys showed — being down the last two playoff games. Coming down to the wire with a good team, and I think we’re just as good. They just found one there and credit to [Allen].”
Arlington Sam Houston Marko Rabanal (2) intercepts the ball in front of an Allen defender during the first half of a UIL area round boys soccer playoff game at Tommy Standridge Stadium in Carrollton, Texas, Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
Allen won the possession game, but Sam Houston found a groove with counters and seemed to gain momentum as the match continued.
“I thought we found the flank a little bit more,” Hernandez said. “We kind of relaxed and found it. It took us awhile, like it did in the first round, to find our groove. But once we did, I thought it was a back and forth game. An even game.”
After Allen’s James Mastrangelo gave the Eagles the lead, Sam Houston responded with a goal from Antonio Zavala off a Pedro Medellin assist.
Sam Houston (22-3) finished the season as an undefeated district champion one season after posting a 4-3-6 district record. Even in 2017, when the Texans made the state title game, they didn’t finish with a perfect district record.
Arlington Sam Houston Sergio Hernandez reacts to play against Allen during the second half of a UIL area round boys soccer playoff game at Tommy Standridge Stadium in Carrollton, Texas, Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
Allen midfielder James Mastrangelo (10) and Arlington Sam Houston David Alejo (6) go down in front of the Allen bench during the first half of a UIL area round boys soccer playoff game at Tommy Standridge Stadium in Carrollton, Texas, Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
Arlington Sam Houston Sergio Hernandez reacts to play against Allen during the second half of a UIL area round boys soccer playoff game at Tommy Standridge Stadium in Carrollton, Texas, Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
Allen midfielder Hudson Crook (13) crosses the ball in front of Arlington Sam Houston Axel Alvarado (3) during the first half of a UIL area round boys soccer playoff game at Tommy Standridge Stadium in Carrollton, Texas, Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
Arlington Sam Houston Edgar Vasquez (19) brings the ball down the pitch in front of Allen midfielder Joao Nunes (12) during the first half of a UIL area round boys soccer playoff game at Tommy Standridge Stadium in Carrollton, Texas, Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
Allen midfielder Ivan Wright (20) gets between Arlington Sam Houston Christopher Olvera (23) and Angel Maldonado (4) during the first half of a UIL area round boys soccer playoff game at Tommy Standridge Stadium in Carrollton, Texas, Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
Arlington Sam Houston Angel Maldonado (4) and Allen midfielder Ivan Wright (20) battle for the ball during the first half of a UIL area round boys soccer playoff game at Tommy Standridge Stadium in Carrollton, Texas, Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
Allen midfielder Dylan Crawford (28) makes a kick on goal during the first half of a UIL area round boys soccer playoff game at Tommy Standridge Stadium in Carrollton, Texas, Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
Allen midfielder Hudson Crook (13) brings the ball in front of Arlington Sam Houston Edson Morin (11) during the first half of a UIL area round boys soccer playoff game at Tommy Standridge Stadium in Carrollton, Texas, Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
Allen midfielder Ethan Diaz (21) and Arlington Sam Houston Edson Morin (11) tangle up battling for the ball during the second half of a UIL area round boys soccer playoff game at Tommy Standridge Stadium in Carrollton, Texas, Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
Charles Baggarly is a high school sports editor and reporter for the Fort Worth Star Telegram. He graduated from TCU in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and served as TCU 360’s sports editor. Connect with Charles on Twitter or via email.
.jpg)