Lady Cougar Soccer Captures District Championship, Advances to Regional Playoffs

February 16, 2026 – The Grace Community School Lady Cougars secured the District Championship with an 8-0 semifinal victory over Bishop Dunne Catholic School and a 2-0 win against Austin Regents School in the championship match.

In the semifinals, Bishop Dunne defended well early, but Grace eventually broke through when Cesa Sabillon found Elle Durham, who scored on a right-footed shot to give the Lady Cougars a 1-0 lead. Harper Miller followed with a goal on a pass from Addie Mathews. Kate Herod added two more goals, assisted by Miller and Durham, before Sabillon scored late in the first half on a feed from Addison Eli.

Grace continued to build the lead in the second half as Eli scored off an assist from Mathews, Ella Herrin found the net on a pass from Herod, and Pryce Bowler capped the scoring with a long-range left-footed strike after receiving a pass from Elin Evans.

The championship match proved more tightly contested. Grace created several early chances before breaking through just before halftime, when Sabillon finished a cross from Herod. The Lady Cougars added an insurance goal in the second half as Eli converted a ball from Mathews to make it 2-0.

Grace’s defense was outstanding throughout the tournament, anchored by Julia Feliciano, Maggie Gillen, Pryce Bowler, Elle Durham, Addison Eli, Bella Wallace, Ella Herrin and goalkeeper Camille Moser. The Lady Cougars did not allow a single goal in the district tournament, scoring 10 and conceding none.

With the championship, Grace earns a bye through the bi-district and area rounds and will next compete in the regional playoffs Thursday, Feb. 26, at a neutral site. The Lady Cougars will host a warmup scrimmage this Thursday at Grace as they prepare for postseason play.