Fans sit huddled together under umbrellas as rain pelts down onto Buddy Echols Field. On Friday, the Coppell girls soccer match against Plano East started off rocky, with a 30-minute delay just three minutes into the game due to a lightning strike. 

Coppell persevered through the delay, winning the District 6-6A match, 4-0.

Returning from the delay, Coppell fought hard with a strong backline defense and ended the first half with two goals from sophomore forward Neerali Kapadia. 

Coppell came into the second half strong, maintaining its possession and lead in the game. Freshman Emeline Holder put on a strong performance, scoring two second half goals.

“She’s up to now five goals in district in four games,” Coppell coach Craig Able said. “She’s playing fantastic up top for us.”

The goalkeepers, sophomore Kelsey Clark and junior Veronika Orzolek, also had a great night, keeping clean sheets for Coppell. 

“Veronika Orzolek keeping another shutout with Kelsey Clark along with the whole back line played really well, so very proud of them and the way they played,” Able said.

The team’s chemistry this year showed through in the match. Junior centerback Monica Morales felt that the relationships the team has built throughout the season have greatly contributed to their success.

“We connected really well and we were able to finish in the final third better than we did on Tuesday,” Morales said. “The team chemistry has always really been good for this team just because a lot of us have played together before.”

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