Community Sports | Hill Country News

Austin FC forward Gyasi Zardes (9) heads the ball over Toronto FC defender Matt Hedges (2) during a Major League Soccer match on May 20, 2023 in Austin, Texas. Austin won, 1-0.

Gyasi Zardes finding his form as Austin FC continues to build momentum

Of all the traits that make Gyasi Zardes one of the all-time forwards in MLS history, one of the most important is his perseverance. more

By Zach Smith, HCN Sports Editor | 5/20/23

Rouse senior Collin Carrejo pitched five innings on Friday, allowing two runs with five strikeouts as the Raiders rallied for a 9-8 win over Cedar Park in the regional quarterfinals.

Rouse rallies for win over Cedar Park in regional quarterfinals

Rouse junior Landon Miller knew exactly what pitch to look for the third time he came to the plate on Friday night. He didn’t miss. more

By Zach Smith, HCN Sports Editor | 5/20/23

The Texas Stars fell to the Milwaukee Admirals 4-3 in game 3 of the Central Division Finals Wednesday night at the HEB Center. Game 4 is set for Friday night, and Game 5 would be Sunday night if necessary.

Texas Stars on brink of elimination after Game 3 loss to Milwaukee Admirals

For perhaps the first time all season, the Texas Stars have no room for error. more

By Zach Smith, HCN Sports Editor | 5/18/23

The Vandegrift girls golf team lifts the trophy after winning the state title on Tuesday. From left to right: Head caoch Aaron Ford, Eden McSpadden, Mimi Burton, Breanna Hoese, Danica Lundgren, Sydney Givens, coach Jaime Sierra.

Vandegrift girls win first-ever state golf title, Givens earns individual silver

The Vandegrift girls’ golf team had May 16 circled on the calendar from day one. more

By Zach Smith, HCN Sports Editor | 5/16/23

Collin Carrejo and Rouse beat Alamo Heights in back-to-back games at Concordia to advance to the regional quarterfinals, where they will face Cedar Park.

Offense comes alive for Rouse in area round win over Alamo Heights

When Rouse senior Collin Carrejo puts on a headband, he does kind of look like Johnny Lawrence — one of the delinquents from the 1984 film The Karate Kid. more

By Zach Smith, HCN Sports Editor | 5/15/23

Drew Robertson had seven strikeouts in Cedar Park's Game 1 win over Medina Valley on Thursday. The Timberwolves swept the Panthers to advance to the regional quarterfinals.

Cedar Park sweeps Medina Valley to advance to regional quarterfinals

Over the last month and a half, the Cedar Park baseball team has been able to stay relaxed. The winning has followed. more

By Zach Smith, HCN Sports Editor | 5/15/23

Austin FC midfielder Daniel Pereira (6) moves the ball during an MLS soccer game between Austin FC and CF Montreal on Mar. 4, 2023, in Austin. Austin FC won, 1-0.

Austin FC winless streak continues after loss to FC Dallas

Austin FC has been in a constant state of ‘almost’ for the last two months. more

By Zach Smith, HCN Sports Editor | 5/14/23

Kevin Sanchez of Vandegrift High School runs in the Class 6A boys 3200-meter run during the UIL State Track and Field Meet on Saturday, May 13, 2023 in Austin.

Vandegrift senior Kevin Sanchez wins two medals in final high school meet

Kevin Sanchez is just as proud of representing the Vandegrift name on the front of his jersey as he is of the multitude of medals he’s won in his illustrious high school running career. more

By Zach Smith, HCN Sports Editor | 5/13/23

Amani Graham of Cedar Park High School (1209) competes in the Class 5A girls 100-meter hurdles during the UIL State Track and Field Meet on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Austin.

Cedar Park senior Amani Graham wins bronze at UIL State track meet

When Amani Graham started running track as an eight-year-old, she never took it too seriously. Then she started hurdling. Then she started winning. more

By Zach Smith, HCN Sports Editor | 5/13/23

Austin FC forward Rodney Redes (11) was named “man of the match” after scoring a first-half goal during a US Open Cup match between Austin FC and New Mexico United on May 10, 2023 in Austin. Austin FC won, 2-0.

Redes, Urruti lift Austin FC past New Mexico United in U.S. Open Cup

Emiliano Rigoni took one touch to get past a defender and picked out Adam Lundqvist near the left sideline. Lundqvist needed just one pass to find a wide-open Maxi Urruti for an easy goal. more

By Zach Smith, HCN Sports Editor | 5/11/23

Kevin Sanchez of Vandegrift High School runs in the Class 6A boys 3200 meter run during the UIL State Track and Field Meet on May 7, 2021 at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas. Sanchez finished ninth in the event.

Local athletes set for UIL State Track & Field Meet

The UIL State Track & Field meet begins Thursday at Mike Meyers Stadium in Austin. more

By Zach Smith, HCN Sports Editor | 5/10/23

Texas pitcher Lebarron Johnson Jr. (57) during an NCAA college baseball game between Texas and LSU on Feb. 28, 2023, in Austin.

Texas pitcher Lebarron Johnson Jr. named Big 12 Pitcher of the Week

Texas pitcher Lebarron Johnson Jr. was named the Big 12 Pitcher of the Week, the league office announced on Monday. more

By Zach Smith, HCN Sports Editor | 5/9/23

Junior Mikala Ham and Vista Ridge dropped their second-round playoff series against New Braunfels, losing 11-7 on Thursday and 6-5 on Friday.

Vista Ridge softball comes up short in area round of playoffs

Head coach JR Romero asked the Vista Ridge softball team an interesting question at one of the first practices this season: Has anyone played catcher before? more

By Zach Smith, HCN Sports Editor | 5/8/23

Vista Ridge senior Hank Howard had three strikeouts in a 4-0 loss to Bowie on Thursday. The Rangers dropped two straight games in the first-round playoff series.

Vista Ridge falls to Bowie in first round of baseball playoffs

The Vista Ridge baseball season came to an end in the first round of the playoffs after two straight losses to Austin Bowie. more

By Zach Smith, HCN Sports Editor | 5/8/23

Austin FC midfielder Emilio Rigoni (7) moves the ball during an MLS soccer game between Austin FC and CF Montreal on Mar. 4, 2023, in Austin. Austin FC won, 1-0.

Austin FC making small improvements despite winless streak continuing

With more than a quarter of the MLS season in the review mirror, head coach Josh Wolff doesn’t care much about where Austin FC is in the standings. more

By Zach Smith, HCN Sports Editor | 5/8/23

Rhett Gardner scored a goal and tallied an assist as the Texas Stars beat the Rockford IceHogs 4-2 Wednesday at the HEB Center to advance to the Central Division Finals.

Texas Stars sweep Rockford IceHogs to advance to Central Division Finals

By every traditional metric, the Texas Stars’ fourth line is an anomaly. more

By Zach Smith, HCN Sports Editor | 5/4/23

The top-seeded Texas Stars will look to close out the best-of-five series against the Rockford IceHogs in Game 3 Wednesday a 7 p.m. at the HEB Center.

Texas Stars eye Central Division Semifinals series sweep over Rockford IceHogs

The Texas Stars are on the brink. more

By Zach Smith, HCN Sports Editor | 5/2/23

Junior Kade Davis allowed no runs on two hits with 10 strikeouts in a complete game shutout, leading the Timberwolves to a 7-0 win.

Cedar Park stays hot, clinches share of district title and top seed

It would’ve been easy for the Cedar Park baseball team to get discouraged after losing three of its first four district games. more

By Zach Smith, HCN Sports Editor | 5/2/23

Travis Sykora fought through some wet weather and allowed two hits and two runs with eight strikeouts in five innings against Vista Ridge on Tuesady.

Round Rock caps off undefeated district season with title

Round Rock baseball coach John Carter needed just one word to describe his team this season: Driven. more

By Zach Smith, HCN Sports Editor | 5/2/23

Austin FC forward Rodney Redes (11) shoots the ball during a Major League Soccer match on March 25, 2023 in Austin, Texas.

Rigoni and Redes help get Austin FC offense back on track in draw against San Jose Earthquakes

Of all the players you’d expect to end the Austin FC scoring drought, Emiliano Rigoni had to be at the bottom of the list. Rodney Redes would probably be the only player below him. more

By Zach Smith, HCN Sports Editor | 4/30/23

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