Clark provides scoring as Cowboys glide into playoffs

March 21, 2015

By Marcus Krum
Staff Writer
@marcuskrum

Junior midfielder Scott Simigan (no. 23) anticipates a corner kick in the first half of Friday night's game at Buddy Echols field. Coppell defeated Haltom 7-0. Photo by Mallorie Munoz. — Junior midfielder Scott Simigan (no. 23) anticipates a corner kick in the first half of Friday night’s game at Buddy Echols field. Coppell defeated Haltom 7-0. Photo by Mallorie Munoz.

After years of hard work, determination and plenty of highs and lows to go with it, the 15 seniors stepping off the pitch at Buddy Echols Field for the final time in their Coppell High School soccer career could look up at the scoreboard and smile.

With the “senior video” playing and the score showing a 7-0 win over Haltom, the Cowboys had plenty of reason to do so as the 2015 regular season came to a close with a huge victory and the regular season District 7-6A championship.

Coppell came out in the first half and dominated from the start, senior forward Roberto Arguello scoring in the first three minutes of the match. After goals from senior midfielder Colten Clark and junior defenseman Andrew Grimmer, the Cowboys took a 3-0 lead going into the locker room at halftime.

“It’s an emotional night. It’s a fun night for them to be recognized and for them to get an opportunity to play on their home field again,” Coppell coach Chad Rakestraw said. “It’s emotional knowing that this is most likely the last time that you’re playing on the home field that you spent four years working your tail off on.”

The second half was much of the same for Coppell. Senior defenseman Jackson Tony scored three minutes into the half, and two minutes later Clark scored his second goal to extend the Cowboys’ lead to 5-0 over Haltom.

“It was awesome. I couldn’t ask for a better moment,” Clark said. “I got two goals, I got to play with my friends for the last time here, it was just a great experience.”

After two more goals came from junior forward Marcelo Gaitan and junior midfielder Scott Simigian in the final 15 minutes of the match, the Cowboys completed the shutout win to end the regular season. Throughout the entire match, when the Cowboys’ offense was not attacking, the defense held particularly stout, only allowing one weak shot on goal to make it to the keeper.

Junior Tanner Traw takes a shot during the first half on Friday night at Buddy Echols Stadium. Coppell won 7-0 in their final game of the season. Photo by Mallorie Munoz.

“We’re starting to really click and it’s coming at the right time.,” Rakestraw said. “The way that we’ve been moving the ball and the movement off the ball, I think we’ll be fine.

“In the end, we got a good win and prepared for the playoffs, so I think they can be happy with how they ended the night here in their last game.”