Highland Park’s girls soccer team is bound for the postseason area round yet again.
The Lady Scots picked up a win Friday in the bi-district round of the Class 5A Division I playoffs over Frisco Heritage, 2-1, marking at least the sixth consecutive season the squad has won a playoff match.
With the win, HP advances to face Prosper Walnut Grove in the second round at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at McKinney ISD Stadium.
On Friday, HP never trailed en route to victory. Despite winning by just a 2-1 margin, the team was in control throughout.
“They really didn’t have many attacks against us,” said Chad Hobbs, HP head coach. “We played with possession in their end for a majority of the game and the only score they had was because they were able to get a counterattack on us. But the girls really responded well to that and were able to answer.”
HP opened the scoring in the first half when Adeline Jacobs earned a breakaway and slid a shot under and past Heritage’s keeper.
The Lady Scots carried the 1-0 margin to the second half. After Heritage drew even, Londy Hutchison netted the game-winner on an assist from Maggie Deskin.
“We just had some good buildup in the run of play and Maggie crossed one in and Londy was there to tuck it away,” Hobbs said. “It felt like we were creating chance after chance and fortunately we got one in and were able to put the game away.”
Hobbs and the Lady Scots are now gearing up for a Walnut Grove team ranked 20th in 5A by the Texas Girls Coaches Association.
“They’re a really good team,” Hobbs said. “They had a good season last year and are having another good one this year. Our mindset all season has been knowing each challenge is going to get hard and harder and we’re just continuing to try and step up our game to meet those challenges. I feel pretty good about where we’re at and how we have been playing.”
While the Lady Scots are moving on, HP’s boys suffered their first postseason defeat since March 29, 2024.
The Scots entered the playoffs riding a four-game win streak but saw that streak snapped in a 1-0 defeat against Frisco Liberty.
Liberty entered the match ranked No. 6 in the area and will now face Jacksonville in the area round of the Division II bracket. HP came in at No. 8.
Head coach Scott Turner noted the Scots had multiple scoring opportunities to take the lead, but unfortunately none found the back of the net with multiple shots clanking off the post.
Liberty, however, managed to break the scoreless deadlock late in the second half to earn the win.
“The kids played well and did a great job of putting themselves in positions to have success,” he said. “We were very close to turning it a couple of times, but just couldn’t quite finish.
“I’m very proud of this team, though, for the process and journey they took,” he added. “They played to the last second and competed hard and with class.”
