On Friday, the Coppell boys soccer team tied Plano East, 1-1, at Buddy Echols Field with a strike from Coppell senior forward Alfred Fairchild later canceled out by Plano East junior forward Alexander Angeles.

The draw takes the Cowboys’ district record to 1-1-1 with 11 matches remaining in District 6-6A. 

“With four days off following the snow – for the way we play, as a chemistry team – those four days not being able to play with each other to build those connections and patterns, I think that was reflected in some of our disjointed play tonight,” Coppell coach Stephen Morris said. “It upsets the balance of the team if we aren’t all in sync and I think with some practice we’ll get back into rhythm, back into flow, and I think it’ll reflect on the field.”

Coppell attacked down the left wing with senior left back Matthew Saucedo taking ownership of the left flank, forming some intricate combinations with senior forward Alfred Fairchild and junior midfielder Anson Skorka leading to some dangerous Cowboy attacks.

“This game we were definitely thinking of trying to keep the ball in our possession, trying to be patient with the ball, but also move forward when we can get the whole team involved,” Saucedo said. “Just using the whole field and all of our players to our advantage.”

It was indeed down the left flank when the goal came, 20 minutes into the match. Saucedo marauded down the left flank, beating a Plano East defender and getting some pass combinations with Skorka, eventually switching the field to junior forward Gareth Meza Murillo, who drove in a cross into the box. Fairchild took a touch to pop the ball into the air, let it fall, then launched a shot, curling it into the top corner where Plano East goalkeeper Stryker Kelly couldn’t reach. 

“Alfred’s goal was great, but we had a few more chances we could’ve buried,” Morris said. “We had three one on one’s with the keeper, we’ve got to put at least one of those away, two cleared off the line and one hitting the post.”

Those chances eventually came back to bite the Cowboys with Angeles snatching a draw for Plano East.

“With our keeper, you’ve got to have faith, just focus on clearing the passing lanes,” Morris said. “It was a two vs one in the box with our centerbacks, one of them needs to cut the angle and the other needs to step to the player. This is a new duo than we’ve had previously so it’s all about working on that communication.”

The match was nearly lost with 10 minutes to go but senior goalkeeper Shane Laki made two crucial one vs one saves. 

Coppell plays at Flower Mound Marcus at 1 p.m. today.

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