BY BRIAN GOSSET
X – @gosset41
X – @gmsportsmedia1
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BREAKING NEWS: Just hours after shutting out Liberty Hill 2-0 in the Class 5A Division 2 championship match on Friday night, the Highland Park boys soccer team is forfeiting the title due to an ineligible player – the UIL announced in a press release.
“The University Interscholastic League received a report from Dallas Highland Park High School regarding its use of an ineligible player in the boys conference 5A Division II state championship soccer game on Friday, April 11th. Highland Park staff discovered the ineligible player following the conclusion of the state championship game, and after an investigation by Highland Park administration, the ineligibility was confirmed.
Consistent with the UIL Constitution and Contest Rules, which states the minimum penalty for allowing an ineligible player to participate is forfeiture of the contest in which they participated, Highland Park has forfeited the state championship game. As a result, Highland Park’s state championship opponent Liberty Hill will be awarded the boys conference 5A Division II state soccer championship.”
The Scots had finished 21-1-2 before the forfeit.
Jack O’Grady (4′) and Hafeey Shah (21′) scored both goals for HP. Goalkeeper Justin Ratner made five saves in nearly 76 minutes of playing time. Preston Telfer played just over four minutes in goal. HP had 16 shots and 10 shots on goal compared to Liberty Hill’s 10 and five, respectively. The Scots also had six corner attempts.
O’Grady had been voted state champ MVP.
HP beat Mesquite Poteet 1-0 in the Region 2 final and Saginaw 2-0 in the semis.
It was Highland Park’s second trip to the state final four and first since 1987. That year, the Scots lost to San Antonio Alamo Heights 1-0 in the title match.
As a result of the forfeit, Liberty Hill will be awarded the 5A D2 state title.
It is Liberty Hill’s second appearance at state and its first title all-time.
LH lost 4-2 to San Elizario during the Class 4A final in 2015.
