Thursday, January 16, 2014

National powers battle to draw

The Coppell Cowgirls and the Nolan Catholic Lady Vikings battled to a 1-1 draw to open the Allison Horn Memorial Showcase on Thursday night.

The game saw end to end action with both teams getting chances but mostly half chances.

"The pace of the game was impressive.  It started out like no one wanted to make a mistake and as the game got older, it got very good, " commented Lady Vikings head coach, Jay Fitzgerald.

Neither team could get a true chance, with the exception of some corners.  As the night went on, the game got faster and faster.  Players were gritting through it.  Tackles were getting harder and players were competing at the highest level for every possession.

Nolan Catholic who sits at #34 in the country was chipping away at the Coppell backline but just couldn't get a clean shot.

But it was the Cowgirls, in the 65th minute, the nations #13 team, that caught a break.  They were able to capitalize on a penalty kick, converted by NEPS (National Elite Prep Showcase) MVP, Sarah King, who has scored in every one of Coppell's matches.

The Lady Vikings who have been very resilient all year kept moving, tired legs an all.  Fitzgerald told his team, "keep moving your feet."  And that is what they did and finally broke free on a Gabbie Puente free kick finished off by Emily Keoughan, her 7th goal of the year.  With the clock stopped at 48 seconds, that goal crossed the line in the 80th minute and the 2 nationally respected teams ended in a 1-1 draw.

The Lady Vikings improve to 9-1-2 and will take on Lewisville tomorrow at 8:00pm at Mustang-Panther Stadium, while Coppell will take on Colleyville Heritage at 6:00pm.

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