AUSTIN ELITE TOURNAMENT
OSCAR OCHOA
Oscar Ochoa | 1/19/2024
PHOTO CREDIT: Staff
On a sunny but windy afternoon, the Coppell Cowboys faced off against the Brandeis Broncos in their first match of the Austin Elite Tournament. They were able to comfortably beat the Broncos 2-0, dominating the match in all areas of the game. The Cowboys started off on the front foot, pressuring the Bronco backline. The Cowboys were able to test the keeper but were unable to score in the early stages of the game. Center-back Brody Scott was the closest to opening the scoring with a free kick aimed for the top right corner that was saved by the keeper. The game mellowed out after the early stages of the first half as the teams remained in a deadlock. Despite their entourage failing to produce a goal, the Cowboys continued to attack. Their hard work would finally pay off, as near the end of the first half the Cowboys were able to score their first goal off a corner kick. Striker Luis Mendez was able to rise above the opposition and win the second ball, heading it into the goal. As the second half began, the Cowboys sought after their second goal to ice the game. The Broncos were able to recover, matching the Cowboys' intensity at the beginning of the first half and creating chances of their own. However, just when it looked like the momentum was shifting, striker Srikar Mulukutla was able to win a penalty off of a counterattack with twenty minutes left in the game. Striker Sam Stone stepped up to the spot and was able to coolly tuck the ball into the bottom right corner, sending the keeper the wrong way. With the Cowboys up two goals, the game was now surely done and dusted. The Cowboys would try to get another one, but the game ended with the final score of 2-0. The offense looked lively while the defense looked compact and under control for the majority of the game. The Cowboys will look to build off this dominant form for their second match of the tournament against the Westlake Chaparrals.