Gallery • 4 Photos

Keith Luo

The Bellaire Varsity Boys Soccer team pose together at the end of the game. This is the first time they will advance to the regional semifinals since 1998.

For the first time since 1998, varsity boys’ soccer is heading to the third round of playoffs. On March 24, the Cardinals beat Alief Elsik High School in the second round of the 6A State Playoffs with a 5-3 victory.

The Cardinals had one day of practice to prepare for their game, as their previous game was a neutral match against Northbrook High School on March 20. Senior goalkeeper David Camerlo “knew it was going to be a hard game,” but the team stayed confident and practiced hard.

In the first half, the Cardinals took the lead 2-0. Alief came back to go up 3-2. Senior and forward Joshua Mathiesen scored a hat trick in the first half.

“We started off very strong in the first half,” senior captain and midfielder Sayf Elkousy said. “Towards the end of the first half, we got a bit tired, and that allowed them to get back into the game. But I think that at halftime, we made a lot of good changes that really helped us get back into the game, and we did well to keep it consistent over the second half.”

Last season, the Cardinals finished sixth in the district with a 3-15 record, so they were not the favorites going in against Elsik — the 2025 UIL state runner-up.

“We’re very happy and excited about the prospect of advancing into the next round of playoffs,” Elkousy said. “I’ve never really felt this sort of experience before, as we were knocked out pretty early the last time we qualified for playoffs.”

Gallery • 3 Photos

Keith Luo

Senior captain and midfielder Sayf Elkousy celebrates with his teammates after scoring his goal in the second half. Elkousy has been on varsity for three years and captain for two years.

With the score tied 3-3 at halftime, pressure was mounting. But after what players described as a “great halftime talk,” the Cardinals regrouped and delivered a steady performance.

“We’re just gonna keep playing our hardest,” junior and midfielder Charlie Davies said. “We have a bunch of seniors on the team, so we’re gonna play for them to make it as far as we can.” 

The boys held Alief Elsik scoreless in the second half. Seniors Carlos Jasso and Elkousy added to Bellaire’s score, coming out victorious 5-3.

“Overall, we are very happy with this result,” Camerlo said. “I know that we’re gonna play an even harder opponent, and we have to practice. Our mentality is that we have to train as hard as we can just to win.”

Gallery • 2 Photos

Alav Madani

Senior Kai Nelson embraces his teammate after the final whistle. The Cardinals will take on Dobie High School for the semifinal round on March 27.

The Cardinals will take on Dobie High School this Friday, March 27 at Veterans Memorial Stadium at 7 p.m. For more information, keep up with @bellaireboyssoccer on Instagram or follow them on MaxPreps.