Webster’s Dictionary defines dynasty as “a powerful group…that maintains its position for a considerable time”. Celina’s dynasty in sports is notorious, and the newest power group belongs to girl's soccer.
Last April, Celina High School (CHS) Girl's Soccer won their third consecutive state championship becoming the second girl's soccer team in Texas to pull off a historic “3-Peat” (also District Champions three consecutive years). CHS has appeared yearly in the state championships since 2021.
Head Coach Alexander Adams knew the 2024 season would be tough after being undefeated in 2023 plus graduating nine seniors. “The odds were against us,” says Adams. During a non-district tournament, the Bobcats lost to Grapevine, a 5A school and defending state champs. They later tied in two games to other 5A schools. People began to doubt Celina could win state again, especially with a young team -- over half were freshmen or sophomores.
Coach Adams and the players, however, knew different. “Once we got into district games, the belief came back,” he notes. Adams kept the team motivated, and the girls responded by improving each game, allowing only eight goals all season and winning their last nineteen games. Clearly the team overcame their obstacles.
The season was successful in part due to Sammy Quiroz and Ryleigh Stifflemire scoring the three goals in the championship game. Proud father and Bobcat supporter, Todd Brantley, reports goalie Kaitlyn Gustafson, defender Makenna Brantley, and center back Brookelyn Babb had key roles too.
Reflecting on her Celina career, Makenna Brantley says, “Playing Celina girls soccer has meant the world to me. Helping be part of three state championships will always be special.” She continued, “I personally believe the reason for our success is that we had so many great players who work well together and put the team first. We all cherish the State Championships more than any award we received individually.” Brantley will play at University of Colorado, Colorado Springs this fall.
CHS Girls Soccer’s accomplishments are more impressive considering the program has existed less than a decade. Celina graduate, Haley Berg, played on the first team in 2016. Berg then played for University of Texas earning All-Big 12 Conference (three times) and now plays professional soccer. She recently signed to play for Dallas Trinity FC.
“My time playing soccer for Celina was definitely special, especially because it was the first time Celina had a soccer team,” recounts Berg. “We made it to the second round of playoffs our first year! I cherish these times playing with friends and girls from childhood. I am very proud of where the program has gone since then,” she continued.
By 2021, Celina earned its first appearance in the state semifinals, unfortunately losing to Midlothian Heritage. However, CHS player Taylor Zdrojewski was named Dallas Morning News Player of the Year for scoring a record 114 goals in a single season. Ashlyn Vana also set a record with fifty-one assists.
Coach Adams joined Celina the next season. “Based on that last loss, I made some tactical decisions to give the ball to others,” he recalls. More players scored as a result creating an unstoppable offense. In the championship game, the Bobcats avenged their previous loss beating Midlothian Heritage. Todd Brantley notes, “That was arguably the greatest state final in high school soccer!” Adams agrees as Celina came from behind to win the school’s first championship via a shootout.
Having only graduated two seniors, 2023 was destined for greatness. Adams said, “It was exciting to know we were bringing back almost all of the championship team.” With players like State MVP, Lexi Tuite, the Bobcats were undefeated. Tuite earned a state record for the most goals in a championship game, including three goals within the first fifteen minutes. Celina remains one of only three teams in Texas to have a perfect season.
2023 graduate, Tuite, remembers her time as a Bobcat, “I loved playing at CHS. It’s a stronger sense of pride playing for your school alongside your friends. It will always be a part of me,” she states. Tuite currently plays for the University of Northern Colorado.
CHS Girls Soccer’s success is sure to continue. Coach Adams asserts many did not realize Celina’s talent during the infant stage. “Doing so well so early in the program’s existence opened people’s eyes,” he says. Youth soccer players now realize Celina has a foothold on girl's soccer. Families see Celina as a good place where their daughter can be a part of a growing dynasty.
It was the talent, the “top-notch” facilities, plus the legendary athletic department that drew Adams to CHS. His pride over the last three years is evident. “The girls give up so much to compete. Each of them, not just starters, train hard and give it their all,” he boasted. “We have a culture of knowing what needs to be accomplished, what needs to be done.”
For example, the 2024 Seniors have been to the state championships every year in high school, having won the last three. Sammy Quiroz also won two state Cross Country championships, thus having five state championships under her belt so far. “Hopefully we’ll get her a sixth,” remarks Coach Adams. Obviously, that’s the next “goal” for The Bobcats – to be the first soccer team to win four consecutive years - never accomplished in forty years of Texas soccer.
While championships are great, it’s the relationships that Coach Adams appreciates the most. “We have such good kids in Celina and amazing community support,” he says. He’s amazed how Celina takes care of its people, doing what’s best for everyone. He believes that’s why he has such a good coaching staff, and why the schools retain good teachers. “People without daughters on the team come to watch a game, which doesn’t happen often in girl's soccer,” he says. “Each time we won state, the town rallied behind the girls coming out in massive numbers (not just families) including a police escort and fire department waterfall.” He appreciates that the team can create such pride and achievements for Celina.
For instance, Celina Girl's Soccer has produced numerous accomplishments in less than a decade. To date, the program holds the following stats:
1 – Professional Soccer Player (Haley Berg, Dallas Trinity FC)
1 – Gatorade Player of the Year National Runner-Up (Taylor Zdrojewski)
10 – College commits
4 – State Championship appearances (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
3 – Consecutive State & District Championships (2022, 2023, 2024)
1 – Undefeated Season (3rd Texas team to have a perfect season, 2023)
2 – Dallas Morning News Players of the Year (Taylor Zdrojewski, Lexi Tuite)
1 – Texas Record for most goals in a single season (Taylor Zdrojewski, 2nd all time nationally)
1 – Texas Record for most assists in a season (Ashlyn Vana)
1 – State Tournament Record for goals (5 in state championship game, Lexi Tuite)
3 – State Tournament MVPs (Taylor Zdrojewski 2022, Lexi Tuite 2023, Grace Pritchard 2024)
20+ – Various All-State, All-District & All-Academic State, Area, Region and District Awards
The Bobcats have a tradition of successful sports teams. CHS Girls Soccer is no different building a triumphant era. Next year’s season brings new challenges with young players and new obstacles to conquer. This powerful group of dominant players are likely to make history keeping the dynasty alive and strong.