Dillon Powers dabbled in many sports as he was growing up, but it's no surprise that soccer became his No. 1 choice. His father is Michael Powers, who played professional soccer for 21 years, including 15 seasons with the Dallas Sidekicks.

"I started playing when I was 2 or 3," Dillon Powers said. "I just picked it up playing in the halls at my house."

Fifteen or so years later, Dillon Powers was the star player for Plano's first 5A state champion since 2000. Plano knocked off undefeated Jesuit in the regional final and then outscored its opponents, 6-1, at the state tournament.

"Ever since I was a freshman, I've dreamed of winning a state championship," Powers said.

Powers did go out right, helping Plano dominate at state.

"We could've put him up front, we could've put him at fullback, he could play anywhere," Plano coach Bob Weir said. "We just decided to put him at midfield, where he would get the most touches."

About Powers

Year: Sr. Pos: MF

Notable: 16 goals, 20 assists

About Powers: The midfielder was the District 8-5A co-MVP and led Plano to the 5A state championship.

Did you know? Powers, who will play next for Notre Dame, is a member of the U.S. under-18 national team.

Notable: Poteet finished 22-5-3, made its first state appearance, and was the 4A runner-up.

About Osborn: The 28-year-old has coached Mesquite Poteet for four seasons. He coached Poteet in 2005 and '06, then coached at Greenville for one year and returned to Poteet before the 2008 season.

Did you know? Osborn played high school soccer for Sulphur Springs, and five of his Sulphur Springs teammates are also soccer coaches. That includes coach Aaron Cottrell of Mansfield Legacy, which played Poteet in this year's state semifinals.

Year: Jr. Pos: F

Notable: 10 goals, 3 assists

About Balthazar: A member of the FC Dallas juniors, Balthazar didn't play high school soccer until this season. He's been playing soccer since age 4.

Did you know? Balthazar, who scored a goal in the state final, said playing a game in Brazil was among his most memorable soccer experiences.

Ursuline coach Jamie Cantrell said there were times this season when she would laugh as she watched Alina Garciamendez play.

"I would just laugh because she is just that good," Cantrell said. "There were moments, as her coach, that I would just stand back in awe at what she was able to accomplish on the field."

Garciamendez accomplished a lot as a four-year starter for Ursuline, which has now won 19 consecutive TAPPS state titles. This season she helped win the championship game, 2-1, over a Fort Worth Nolan team that beat Ursuline twice in the regular season.

But it wasn't the wins that Garciamendez cherishes most about her time with the soccer team.

"It's just being part of the whole program because there are so many traditions," she said. "I like how it's a big family."

It won't be easy for Cantrell to replace Garciamendez, who has signed with Stanford.

"A player like Alina comes along once, if that, in a coach's lifetime," Cantrell said.

About Garciamendez

Year: Sr. Pos: MF

Notable: 8 goals, 12 assists

About Garciamendez: The four-year starter was named TAPPS District 1-5A Player of the Year three consecutive years.

Did you know? In November, Garciamendez played for Mexico in the under-20 World Cup in Chile.

Notable: Coppell finished 24-4-2 and won the first girls soccer state title in school history.

About Stricker: The 35-year-old has coached the varsity girls for 11 seasons. He also led Coppell to the state tournament in 2002.

Did you know? Stricker – a diehard fan of his alma mater, Ohio State – has four kids and is the coach for all of their recreation soccer and basketball teams.

Year: Fr. Pos: GK

Notable: The District 8-5A newcomer of the year helped Plano West surprise 6-5A co-champion Hebron in the area round of the playoffs.

About Smith: Smith, a goalkeeper for the under-17 U.S. national team, has been playing soccer since she was 6.

Did you know? Smith started playing goalkeeper when she was 7 because she was the only player on her team who wasn't afraid to have the ball kicked at her.