Recruit wins Texas state championship

McKina Michael, Plano West, take soccer crown

Defender expected to lead Lady Lions back line

WAXAHACHIE, Texas -- McKina Michael, who recently signed to play soccer for Southwestern Assemblies of God University, won the Texas state championship with Plano West High School last month.

Michael, a 5-foot-3 senior defender, was a key performer for the West Lady Wolves during their unbeaten run through the University Interscholastic League’s largest classification, Class 5A.

The young women’s soccer program at SAGU, entering its seventh season this August, looks to build around athletes like McKina Michael.

“She signed with us back in February,” said second year Head Coach Mandy Fortner, who was an NAIA All-American during her playing days. “Having a player like McKina winning the State 5A title is a pretty big deal for our program. Wahoo! We’re very happy for her!”

Behind the leadership of veteran coach Carley Phillips, Plano West, who was ranked #3 nationally according to ESPNHS, when they entered the post-season tournament.

Coach Phillips used a creative balance of goofy fun and serious preparation. Her team responded to the atmosphere with an impressive run for the crown, her second title at the North Dallas suburb of 260,000.

It was also the fifth state championship for the Lady Wolves since the school opened their doors in 1999.

The Final Four was held on April 20-21 at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown, Texas; 25 miles north of Austin.

The Wolves pulled off a huge win in their semi-final clash with Klein Oak H.S. (Spring, Tx), who has an enrollment of over 4,100. West blanked the Panthers, 2-0.

Oak carried a 25-1-1 record into the match.

In the championship game the Wolves faced Katy’s Seven Lakes H.S. (23-3-3), who beat San Antonio Churchill (19-6-1), 2-1, in an overtime shootout.

The Lady Wolves howled as they held the Spartans without a goal during a 1-0 triumph that capped West’s 23-3-4 season.

Both the men’s and women’s soccer teams from Southwestern Assemblies of God University meet on campus on Wednesday, August 8.

They will depart for a missions/service project in Leakey (LAY-kee), Texas before returning on Monday, Aug. 13, for the start of training camp. Leakey is west of San Antonio, 350 miles from Waxahachie.

Contact: Mark “Link” Warde, SAGU Sports Information Director, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 469-658-2847.