AUSTIN, Texas — The University Interscholastic League announced that Liberty Hill are this year’s 5A Division II soccer champions.
Their opponent in Friday’s championship boys soccer game, Highland Park out of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, had to forfeit the title.
Highland Park beat Liberty Hill 2-0 to claim its first state championship in program history. Then, hours later, the school forfeited the title.
Officials with the UIL say they received a report that an ineligible player took part in the championship game.
According to a UIL press release, Highland Park staff discovered the ineligible player following the conclusion of the state championship game, and after an investigation by Highland Park administration, the ineligibility was confirmed.
According to UIL rules, an ineligible player taking part is grounds for a forfeit of the contest. That means that Liberty Hill is this year’s winner of the state championship.
Highland Park was in its second state championship appearance in program history, qualifying for the first time since 1987. After beating Liberty Hill, 2-0, the championship would have been the first in school history.
WFAA contributed to this report.