Battle-tested Grapevine girls feel confident for return to state soccer tournament

Grapevine is following its first trip to the UIL Class 5A girls state soccer tournament last season with an encore performance this year, but it looked at times like the curtain might close early on the Mustangs.

“We’ve overcome so many different adversities this year, from shear bad luck to a variety of different injuries,” Grapevine coach Steve McBride said. “There’s been some times this season when I, as a coach, and I know the players, kind of questioned whether we had the ability to get back.

“It’s been a whirlwind. It’s been a huge challenge, but in the same breath it’s been unbelievably rewarding.”

The Mustangs had only two losses and a draw when they rolled into Georgetown a year ago. This season they have lost six times and tied three. Injuries, a tough schedule and some old-fashioned misfortune have all played factors in Grapevine’s record, but the reality is the record doesn’t matter. In fact, McBride said that hidden in the Mustangs’ record is what makes them even tougher this time around.

“I know when we step on the field Thursday against College Station, this team is where it needs to be mentally from a battle-tested perspective,” he said. “What we’ve been able to take out of this season has made us stronger. We’ve been down, we’ve been beaten. The adversity this group has gone through to get back to where they are really bodes well for us this weekend because we really have seen it all.”

Grapevine boasts a good mix of veteran leadership and young talent. A dozen players have scored more than once this season, led by senior Jordan Slim’s 19 goals. Sophomore Sophie Smith and freshman Ashton Wright are next with 12 apiece.

McBride takes plenty of pride in his defense, as well. The Mustangs have held opponents to only 17 goals in 28 games. Grapevine has outscored opponents 14-1 in the postseason.

Many of the issues that plagued Grapevine’s regular season appear to be in the rearview mirror. The team is healthy and playing its best soccer at the right time.

“I think this last weekend really reinforced the intestinal fortitude of this group,” McBride said. “They showed a tremendous amount of grit over the last couple of weeks.”

Last season will always be special, since it was the first trip to state, but there’s certainly a special place for 2016, McBride said.

“Looking at last year to this year, it’s been a challenge. I think it’s an indicator of just how difficult it is to do something like this and go back-to-back,” he said. “It really makes you appreciate it even more.”

This story was originally published April 13, 2016 at 6:53 PM with the headline "Battle-tested Grapevine girls feel confident for return to state soccer tournament."