The end of the season.
The final huddle broke under the sunlight with the crowds full to celebrate a season and their seniors.
Keller defeated the Coppell boys lacrosse team, 20-2, on Friday night at S.P. Lesley Field.
Within the first 20 seconds of the game, the Cowboys started strong with senior midfielder Cale Stricklin scoring a goal, igniting the home crowd. However, by the end of the first quarter, the score became 6-1 with the Indians in the lead.
“We just kept trying to fight,” Coppell senior midfielder Om Vernekar said. “That’s what we worked on. The fundamentals, hustle and not giving up no matter the score.”
Despite the goals from Keller putting Coppell on the defensive, the Cowboys continued to hustle through the Indians’ defense with quick reactions to ground balls and continuing to push.
A second goal was scored by Coppell sophomore Madden Montague early in the second quarter.
“I think a lot of it was just inexperience,” senior Evan Norkett said. “More than half our team had never played varsity before this year. But we fought to the very end, and I’m proud of that.”
For Senior Night players, coaches and families celebrated the bonds built and the growth achieved throughout this season of lacrosse.
“They gave so much to the team,” Coppell coach Sam Johnston said. “They’re great, they’re awesome, they’re leaders. It’s hard to see them go, but I’m excited for what’s ahead in their lives.”
For Johnston, it was also his first full season coaching varsity lacrosse, which was an experience he described as rewarding despite the challenges.
“The first year was good,” Johnston said. “Seeing the guys develop and get better over the year has been the most rewarding thing.”
(Vibha Viswanath)
With a mostly new roster, a new coaching staff and only a handful of returning players from last year, the Cowboys faced uphill battles all season. Johnston has seen that the progress made this season, especially for the younger players, sets a strong foundation for the future.
“We’ve got a lot of guys returning who’ll be better for this experience,” Johnston said. “The seniors helped set the standard.”
Although the season ended in a loss, the team has made a connection and grown together .
“It was a fun season,” Vernekar said. “We didn’t end the way we wanted, but we got to know each other as the season progressed which helped us improve on fundamentals like passing and catching. It made a difference.” As the final game came to an end and the seniors walked away from their final game, the future of lacrosse is prepared to make a difference.
“They’re going to do great things,” Johnston said. “I’m just thankful they gave everything they had to Coppell lacrosse.”
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