By Abby Drake
Staff Writer

The Coppell High School Lacrosse team has conquered the Division II lacrosse league by winning state champions the last two years. The Cowboys are hoping their success continues as they switch to Division I for the 2011 season.

Coppell lacrosse has taken off over the last few years and many young men and woman have become interested in the sport. The program now has teams for all age groups and the varsity boys team has grown to around 25 skilled players.

After their outstanding 2009 and 2010 seasons the varsity boys team was invited to Division I along with Allen High School and Plano West Senior High School. From this season on Coppell will be faced with a different array of opponents and a new level of expectation.

“We know that we are going to be playing some tougher teams than last year, but we still think that we can continue to win and get to the state game,” senior captain Brandon Mullins said. “We are just going to have to continue to practice hard and get smarter on the field, in order to compete with the high level of competition.”

Despite the unfamiliarity of a new division the boys are playing with the same stamina, persistence and skill that they have always had. Their first game of the new season proved this, since they won eight to four against the Kingwood High School Mustangs.

“We are practicing a lot, because our main goal is to win a state champion at the Division I level,” senior attack Preston Allison said. “For us seniors it is our first and last time to try and win a DI state championship, and we are going to do whatever it takes to win.”

Aside from the rigor of their practices the team spends a lot of time together, bonding, in order to build up their team chemistry. The night before their first game of the season the team went to watch a lacrosse game of one of their new opponents, went out to team dinner and then relaxed by watching a movie.

The Coppell lacrosse schedule is about to become very busy starting next weekend, which holds tournaments for the team against Jesuit, Westwood and Westlake. Then the team comes home on Feb. 26 to play Austin Bowe.

The 2011 season is very important since several of the key players are seniors and this is their last chance to play for Coppell. Although several of them are going off to big name universities where they will play lacrosse, they will always remember being a part of the team that won state twice.

“I am going to miss playing with all the senior guys that I have played with since fifth grade, but we are going to make it a good year,” senior midfielder Alec Lucas said.

Much is expected from this upcoming season and hopefully the team can carry on their success from the seasons before.

“Since we have so much talent on our team and we are finally getting the chance to play in DI, expectations are high for us,” Allison said.