Anticipation runs high as the Coppell soccer season draws near and both the boys and girls teams get ready for the upcoming season.
“We’re very senior heavy,” boys soccer coach Stephen Morris said. “We’ve got 17 seniors on the team.”
Notable returners include senior forward Sam Stone, senior forward Luis Mendez and senior midfielder Srikar Mulukutla. They are expected to be vital assets for the upcoming season. Senior John Campbell, a three-year starting goalkeeper, will start in goal this year.
“Jacob Campbell is gonna be one,” Morris said when prompted about the team’s leadership.. “Sam Stone, Srikar Mulukutla, and Chaz Null are all going to be main names that are going to bring leadership to the team.”
Morris highlights the need for more consistency this season, reflecting on the ties from last season.
“We’re looking to be just more consistent,” Morris said. “More consistent with how we play.”
For the girls team, coach Craig Able seeks to build a positive environment.
“First and foremost, it’s important they have a positive experience and again, work on being the best humans they can be and the best soccer players they can be,” Able said.
Able believes in the growth of the team.
“Some girls that just are going to continue to grow in their roles,” Able said. “We should be a really strong cohesive unit this year.”
Able is confident in the talented freshmen in his team. Notable additions include freshman midfielder Emeline Holder, who is described as a key returning piece. Able highlights the team’s returning talent, mentioning players including returning District 6-6A midfielder Summer Chen, Offensive Newcomer of the Year Neerali Kapadia and leading goal scorer Sadie Ozymy.
A significant challenge for the girls team lies in the competitive district where reigning state champion Marcus Girls Soccer and 2014 state champion Hebron Girls Soccer play. Able emphasizes how crucial it is to manage the game’s tempo and use basic strategies in order to remain competitive when facing strong opponents.
Both teams are preparing for a challenging District 6-6A schedule, with the Cowgirls scrimmaging Keller Central, Frisco Reedy, South Grand Prairie and Denton Guyer and the Cowboys scrimmaging Keller, Arlington Martin and Keller Timber Creek.
Follow Hamza Zakir @hamza_a_zakir, @CoppellSoccer, @CoppellCowgirls and @CHScampusNews on X
