Connally High School boys soccer team in state tournament

Four area high school soccer teams are in Georgetown for the state tournament that includes a Connally High School team hoping to shine in its first ever trip to state.

The Cougars are used to practicing indoors.

Head soccer coach Ryan Ford says, "We've done it a little bit into the playoffs as the weather's got tough."

Ty Hurley, senior goalkeeper, says, "When we come in here and play.  We play a lot more fast then we would outside because we have more space."

But to still be in the playoffs is a different story.

Junior midfielder Julio Orozco says, "Feels really nice. Season was looking pretty good and I honestly didn't think we'd get this far."

Hurley agrees. "I didn't expect to get this far but I knew that we had the potential to."

Connally is in the state tournament's final four for the first time.

Ford says, "It's been so much fun. They just keep winning and it's a whole lot more fun than losing."

Jose Rodriguez, a junior midfielder, says, "I get a whole bunch of congratulations from a lot of people. Teachers and it's just a good campus and a good feeling."

It's definitely a good feeling because the Cougars have dominated this season in their run to state. They have 16 shutouts on the year and have only given up one goal in their last 10 games.

Hurley says, ""I think it feels the best for me since I'm the goalie and it shows that I didn't get scored on. But I can't just give it up for me. I give it up for me and my team because I'm not the only part. I had to control my defense for that to not get to me and I think I want to give them a big part of that shutout streak."

Coach Ford says the team has also had a little bit of luck along the way.

"Sometimes the ball just doesn't bounce in.  And it's bouncing our way.  We've had some great goals.  And some fortune on our side, but we've been playing, fighting tooth and nail for everything we've got," Ford says.

And the players are hoping this is just the beginning for Connally.

"It's setting a higher standard for the sports around here I think because they see us getting this far. And they want to get just as far. Connally isn't known for going to state for a lot of other sports. So to actually go this far in soccer this year. It means a lot. It means a lot," Hurley says.