The Coppell girls varsity soccer team takes on Hebron at Buddy Echols Field on Tuesday. The Cowgirls prepare for the game by looking over statistics and their highlights from preseason.

According to Coppell coach Craig Able, the Cowgirls match against Prosper earlier this month gave his team a glimpse at Hebron’s style of play.

“They are a possession based team, they have a similar formation,” Coppell coach Craig Able said. “It’s really a chess match between two teams with an identical style, but we also played Midlothian with a different style.”

Playing teams in preseason with different styles diversifies offensive and defensive strategies. The Cowgirls defeated Midlothian, 3-0, on Jan 12 at Buddy Echols Field with a 75% possession rate.

“They played a very direct style, they don’t try to keep possessions, lots of long balls and lots of athletes just running at you, not trying to really play,” Able said. “Very different than our playing style, so again it’s us adapting and adjusting.”

Hebron is the District 5-6A opener, and holds a big challenge.

“Hebron was the No. 1 team in the state in preseason,” Able said. “They finished 9-5 in district play, but they didn’t make playoffs [last year], which in almost every other sport a record of 9-5 would easily make playoffs.”

In District 5-6A, there are heavily diversified and qualified teams to play throughout the season based on their rankings and qualifications.

“We know there are five teams in our district that are in the top 10 or 15 in state rankings, and one of those teams is getting left out,” Abel said. “We want to make sure that team is not us.”

Hebron’s girls soccer team holds a large amount of talent.

“There are several talented girls on that roster, so making sure we are our best and making sure we’re playing our best soccer,” Able said.

Follow @reecemurry and @SidekickSports on X.