Celina Girls Win 5th Straight Texas High School Soccer Championship

Ryleigh Stifflemire named MVP as Celina defeats Salado 2-1 in Class 4A Division 1 finals

Apr. 10, 2026 at 4:03am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the key moments and players of the Celina High School girls soccer state championship victory, with sharp, overlapping shapes and planes representing the dynamic action on the field.Celina High School's fifth straight girls soccer state title showcases the program's enduring excellence and commitment to developing top talent.Celina Today

The Celina High School girls soccer team won their fifth state championship in a row on Thursday, defeating Salado 2-1 in the Class 4A Division 1 finals. Ryleigh Stifflemire, an uncommitted senior, scored the game-winning goal for Celina in the 68th minute after her cross attempt bounced off a Salado defender and into the net. Stifflemire was named the game's MVP.

Why it matters

Celina's victory extends their dynasty as one of the top high school girls soccer programs in Texas, having now won 5 state titles in 6 championship game appearances. The win also snaps Salado's 25-game winning streak and denies them their first state championship.

The details

Celina took an early 1-0 lead in the 49th minute on Stifflemire's first goal, but Salado responded with a goal from Lucy Johnson in the 42nd minute to tie it 1-1 at halftime. Celina's defense then held strong in the second half, limiting Salado to just 3 shots on the day. Celina outshot Salado 14-3 overall.

  • The game was played on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown, Texas.
  • Celina had won 22 straight games entering the championship match.

The players

Ryleigh Stifflemire

The senior forward for Celina High School, who was named the game's MVP after scoring the game-winning goal.

Lucy Johnson

The Salado High School player who scored the lone goal for her team in the 42nd minute.

Emme Norman

The senior goalkeeper for Celina High School, who recorded 2 saves in the victory.

Cate De Moor

The Celina High School player who provided the assist on Ryleigh Stifflemire's game-winning goal.

Cassidy Lange

The Salado High School player who recorded the assist on Lucy Johnson's goal.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

The takeaway

Celina High School's girls soccer program has cemented its status as a Texas dynasty, winning 5 state championships in 6 title game appearances. The team's ability to reload year after year and continue winning at such a high level is a testament to the program's coaching, player development, and commitment to excellence.