PROSPER – Imagine streaking down the field in the most important game of your life against the third-ranked team in the state. The same third-ranked team that handed the best team in the state by three goals. 

This beast was exactly the challenge that everyone including the Coppell boys soccer team knew would be a challenge. Ultimately, Prosper was too much and kicked the Cowboys out of the playoffs with a 2-0 loss in the Class 6A Region I bi-district playoffs at Children’s Health Stadium,

“Obviously, we knew coming into the playoffs that we were going to hit Prosper,” Coppell coach Stephen Morris said. “We knew that this game would be about who was more physical and who had more possession. We were in the fight from the beginning. We were staying alert and clearing everything but there were just some unlucky moments and we couldn’t recover.”

Prosper started the match with two shots on goal in the first minute of the match. 

“We started as well as I would have liked,” Prosper coach Bryan Thompson said. “Our energy from the start was extremely good and we were in control from the start. 

Coppell came back with some shots, taking control of the match for a 10-minute stretch. The tide turned, however, when a corner kick was issued to Prosper with 14 minutes remaining. 

The corner flew in and senior goalkeeper Jacob Campbell punched the ball out of the box. Unfortunately, it landed at the feet of junior striker Hayden Crotts and he torpedoed the ball in the back of the net. 

Then, four minutes later, Coppell gave up a free kick to Crotts from 23 yards out. Senior forward Caden Berg elected to take the shot and shot a beautiful curving shot into the top left of the goal. 

“That four-minute stretch was rough and they had some really nice plays,” Morris said. “Both goals were deflected and it just found the back of the net.”

In the second half, Coppell fought to try to get back into the match. Finding some energy they put on numerous counter attacks, however, nothing found the back of the net. 

“They played a heck of a game,” Thompson said. “Credit to them for not falling apart at the end and searching for a goal so late.”

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