It wasn’t that the Cinco Ranch boys soccer team didn’t dare to dream.

But three months ago, the last thing a 3-2 win in a scrimmage against perennial power Klein portended was a possible run deep into the postseason.

Now the only things separating the two from ending their seasons against each other are state semifinal victories.

Cinco Ranch (22-0-6), making its first state tournament appearance, meets defending champion Lewisville Flower Mound Marcus (24-3-3) at 4 p.m. Thursday at the Round Rock ISD Athletic Complex.

Klein (20-1-1), a three-time champion making its 13th state tournament appearance, plays San Antonio Churchill (18-3-5) in the other semifinal at 6 p.m. Thursday.

The winners meet at 1 p.m. Saturday.

“I never expected this to happen,” Cougars senior midfielder Juan Fernando Nino said. “It was a good game then and it would be neat if we had two Houston teams in the final.”

Nino was quick to add, though, that Flower Mound Marcus comes first. His business-like attitude reflected the atmosphere at Tuesday’s practice at Rhodes Stadium – and that betrayed the fact that no Cougar has competed at this high a level, at least in high school.

“They know we’re going up there to play a game. We’re not just going up there to see the state tournament,” Cinco Ranch coach John Crow said. “We’re going to take part and hopefully make a statement.”

Flower Mound Marcus defeated Dallas Jesuit 1-0 in the Region I championship Saturday. Standout forward Sam Garza, who had missed most of the postseason to that point because he participated with the U.S. Olympic Developmental Program in Brazil, scored the only goal on a penalty kick in the second half.

Dallas Jesuit had snapped Marcus’ 33-game winning streak earlier in the season.

Cinco Ranch is seeking to become Katy ISD’s first boys soccer champion. Morton Ranch advanced to state last year, as did Katy Taylor in 2000 and Mayde Creek in 1995.

The Cougars defeated Mayde Creek, Clear Lake and perennial power Kingwood in the regional tournament.

“We tell the guys, ‘Why not you?’ ” Crow said. “Why not Cinco Ranch? It’s a saying that we have. Just look at these guys. They’re loving it. …

“We’re gonna line up, play our game and just get after them. That’s all you can do.”

5A GIRLS: Falcons feeding off youth

A plethora of youth guided Clear Lake’s girls toward their first state tournament, but a senior ensured they got there.

Senior midfielder Bri Cagle scored off a corner kick with 5:34 left Saturday to give the Falcons a 2-1 victory against Kingwood in the regional final. Clear Lake (21-3-4) will play Plano East (23-3-3), another first-time qualifier, in a state semifinal at 1 p.m. Thursday at Round Rock.

“She’s a senior captain; really the one constant starting senior we’ve had,” Falcons coach Andy Gaworecki said. “It is funny (that Cagle scored the winner). She’s a leader emotionally and mentally. She’s always organizing them, and off the field she’s a team mom. She was a huge factor in creating the family environment we have.”

Clear Lake has allowed only six goals all season. Several Falcons felt they played perhaps their best game of the season in the regional quarterfinals, shutting off 2007 state finalist Deer Park 1-0. That Deer team allowed just two goals before the state title game, when they surrendered three.

“We just try to keep the attackers in front of us and not let them get behind into space where they can create something and be dangerous,” Gaworecki said.

Plano East defeated The Woodlands 4-3 in the Region II final. It took a 3-0 lead, then survived three goals in the final 27 minutes of regulation before winning the shootout 3-2.

San Antonio MacArthur (24-1-1) plays Southlake Carroll (22-4-4) in the other semifinal.

State tournament schedule
at Round Rock ISD Athletic Complex
BOYS
5A
Semifinals
Cinco Ranch (22-0-6) vs. Lewisville Flower Mound Marcus (24-3-3), 4 p.m. Thursday
Klein (19-2-2) vs. San Antonio Churchill (18-3-5), 6 p.m. Thursday
Championship
Semifinal winners, 1 p.m. Saturday

GIRLS
5A
Semifinals
San Antonio MacArthur (24-1-1) vs. Southlake Carroll (22-4-4), 11 a.m. Thursday
Clear Lake (21-3-4) vs. Plano East (23-3-3), 1 p.m. Thursday
Championship
Semifinal winners, 11 a.m. Saturday
4A
Semifinals
Wichita Falls Rider (29-0-1) vs. Dripping Springs (21-2-2), 11 a.m. Friday
McKinney Boyd (23-2-1) vs. Friendswood (24-1-5), 1 p.m. Friday
Championship
Semifinal winners, 4 p.m. Saturday

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