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Grace Community Lady Cougars win state soccer championship
Tyler school claims fourth state title, second in three years
Published on Mar. 5, 2026
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The Grace Community School Lady Cougars soccer team from Tyler, Texas won the TAPPS Division II state championship, defeating The Woodlands Christian Academy 2-1. This is the fourth state title for the Lady Cougars, and their second in the last three years.
Why it matters
The Lady Cougars' championship win caps off an undefeated 17-0-1 season, and marks the third consecutive year the team has made it to the state final four. The victory is a testament to the hard work and talent of the players, as well as the strong coaching leadership.
The details
In the championship game, the Lady Cougars and The Woodlands Christian Academy were tied 1-1 at halftime. In the second half, senior Cesa Sabillon scored the game-winning goal for Grace Community. Fellow seniors Addison Eli and Elle Durham also played key roles, with Eli scoring a goal and Durham providing an assist. The Grace defense, led by Maggie Gillen, Julia Feliciano, and goalkeeper Camille Moser, held strong against the opposing offense.
- The Lady Cougars defeated The Woodlands Christian Academy 2-1 on Wednesday to capture the TAPPS Division II girls state soccer championship.
- In the state semifinals on Tuesday, the Lady Cougars knocked off defending state champion Fort Worth All Saints 4-2.
- Grace Community won the state title in 2024.
The players
Grace Community School Lady Cougars
The girls soccer team from Grace Community School in Tyler, Texas that won the TAPPS Division II state championship.
Cesa Sabillon
A senior on the Grace Community Lady Cougars team who scored the game-winning goal in the state championship game.
Addison Eli
A senior on the Grace Community Lady Cougars team who scored a goal and provided an assist in the state championship game.
Elle Durham
A senior on the Grace Community Lady Cougars team who provided an assist in the state championship game.
Maggie Gillen
A senior on the Grace Community Lady Cougars team who played a key role on the strong defensive unit.
What they’re saying
“I'm so proud of all the girls. They are truly a special group — hardworking and talented, but they love and support each other so well. It truly is the greatest joy and blessing to be their coach. They make my job so much fun.”
— Chris Hemphill, GCS Coach (tylerpaper.com)
The takeaway
The Grace Community Lady Cougars' fourth state soccer championship, and second in three years, demonstrates the program's sustained excellence and the dedication of its players and coaching staff. This victory caps off an undefeated season and continues the team's recent dominance in Texas high school soccer.
