Brook Hill celebrates winning the TAPPS Division III state soccer championship on Friday in Round Rock.

ROUND ROCK — After a thrilling 6-5 penalty kick semifinal win over reigning state champion Carrollton Prince of Peace, Bullard Brook Hill head coach David Collins said he wanted to bring home a state title, the first-ever for the program.

Now Coach Collins and the Guard can do just that following a 1-0 victory over Houston British International School Friday afternoon in the TAPPS Winter Soccer Division III state title match at the Round Rock Multipurpose Complex.

Senior midfielder Mio Engqvist drilled in free kick 49 seconds before halftime, from the right center of the net about 20 yards away that sailed over the line of defense and past the outstretched arms of the British International goalie, and that proved to be all the Guard would need, as their stellar defense and phenomenal play in net by junior goalkeeper Christian Pous did the rest.

“I just lined up my shot and got it inside the net,” said Engqvist. “This is just fantastic, winning the championship.”

“This is super special,” said Collins. “First championship for the program. First championship for me. These guys have worked so hard all year long. They came together as a unit.”

Pous, who turned in a magnificent performance in the Guard’s 6-5 penalty kick semifinal win, did not allow a goal in four playoff victories.

“I am so happy for our seniors,” said Pous. “We played very well as a team. This is just an unbelievable feeling.”

Coach Collins had high praise for the play of his standout goalkeeper.

“He is the reason we were able to play for a championship, after the amazing job he did yesterday in the semifinal,” said Collins. “He did such a tremendous job. As did the entire team.”

Brook Hill (21-1-1) had posted shutouts in three playoff wins in reaching the state tourney — 3-0 over McKinney Christian in the area round and 4-0 over Austin Brentwood in the regional, then its thrilling 6-5 penalty kick state semifinal win over Carrollton Prince of Peace.

The tenacious Brook Hill defense stymied a potent British International School offense that had posted regular-season wins of 21-0, 14-0, 14-2 and 19-0.

“Everyone did a great job,” said senior midfielder Marlon Rataj. “We battled, played good team defense. All the hard work at practice really paid off.”

Pous, Rataj, Engqvist and sophomore Defender Javier Gavito were selected to the 12-player all-tournament team for Brook Hill. Gavito was a key component in the team’s defensive success in the championship match and throughout the playoffs.

Making its 10th state tourney appearance, Brook Hill was in the title match for the fourth time, having been runner-up in 2020, 2015 and 2010.

Houston British International School (14-3-1) had an area round 4-0 win over Boerne Geneva, then a 1-0 regional victory over Houston Cypress Christian, before a 2-1 state semifinal win over Houston St. Thomas Episcopal. It had won 13 straight matches entering the state title game, after beginning the season 1-2-1.

Making its fifth state tourney appearance, Houston British International School won titles in 2017 and 2014.