Frisco Wakeland survives penalty shootout, downs Leander Rouse in girls 5A state semifinal

GEORGETOWN — Considering the physical play and clutch saves throughout Frisco Wakeland’s Class 5A girls soccer state semifinal match against Leander Rouse, overtime seemed inevitable.

Neither team scored during regulation Thursday afternoon. Wakeland and Rouse each had six shots with five on goal.

After two scoreless 10-minute overtime periods, Wakeland ousted Rouse on penalty kicks, 4-2, to advance to Saturday’s state championship game against Colleyville Heritage. Junior goalkeeper Claire Manis made two huge saves, while her teammates converted all four of their attempts at Birkelbach Field.

“God gave me the strength and the mental strength to stay [focused],” said Manis. “I’m so grateful that I get to share this win with them, and I’m just so excited.”

Senior defender Ava Yocum made the game-winner in front of the dozens of fans who traveled from Frisco to cheer Wakeland on.

Three-time state champion Wakeland (25–0–2) made its fourth state tournament appearance since 2018 on Thursday. Wakeland won its last state title in 2022.

With only five seniors on its roster, Wakeland shut out each of its five previous playoff opponents, outscoring its challengers 17-0. Wakeland averaged 4.5 goals in the regular season and allowed opponents an average of 0.6 scores.

“We just don’t give up many shots,” Wakeland coach Jimmie Lankford said. “That’s six games in the playoffs now that we haven’t given up a goal.”

Wakeland will meet Colleyville Heritage in the 5A state championship game on Saturday at 11 a.m. Colleyville Heritage defeated Pflugerville Hendrickson 4-1 in the earlier 5A state semifinal to advance to its first state final since 2011, when it fell in overtime to McKinney Boyd in the 5A state championship game. Colleyville Heritage won its sole title in 1999.

“They’re good. They’re big, they’re physical, they’re fast,” Lankford said. “Typical team in our area. Just like the teams we see all the time. What surprised us is they played a good, physical, fast game. Hats off to them.”

The five-time state champion Frisco Wakeland boys also made the trip out to the state tournament and will play Leander Glenn at 5 p.m. Thursday in the 5A state semifinal.

Leander Rouse (20–5–3) made its first state tournament appearance in 2017. That was Rouse’s only state tournament bid in program history until Thursday.

After facing a huge challenge from Rouse for 100 minutes, Wakeland will take time to recover before Saturday’s match against Colleyville Heritage.

“We’re going to get some rest,” Lankford said. “It will be a war.”

State-bound! See photos as Frisco Wakeland girls soccer clinches spot in 5A title game

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