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The Coppell Cowgirls claim the 6A-D1 State Championship with a 6-2 win over Lake Travis
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
The Cowgirls entered the final as the No. 1-ranked team in Texas (MaxPreps) and proved worthy of that reputation with a dominant second-half surge.
Despite what the final score might suggest, the match remained tight deep early on in the second half. Coppell held a narrow 3-2 lead in the 48th minute before accelerating with three unanswered goals in the next ten minutes to put the game firmly out of reach.
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
“For us, we just wanted to make sure that we controlled the tempo of the game,” said head coach Craig Able. “We controlled possession, we connected passes — when we do that, we’ve been really tough to beat this year.
“I think once the girls settled into the game, they remembered that it’s just a game and we’re just doing the things we do well that got us to this point. I’m just so proud of them for all the hard work they put in. They’ve done it all.”
Led by a strong senior class and several standout performances, Coppell’s depth and cohesion were on full display. Junior forward Neerali Kapadia (Rice commit) was a force up top, scoring twice and earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team for her relentless energy and finishing touch.
Seniors Monica Morales (WashU) and Reagan Roberson (Dallas Baptist) also earned All-Tournament honors, with Morales finding the back of the net twice.
But it was senior midfielder Summer Chen (Gonzaga-commit) who earned 6A-Division I State MVP honors after a spectacular showing in the Final. Chen scored two goals and assisted Morales for another, helping to set the tone throughout the entire match.
Senior Summer Chen is presented with the 2025 UIL 6A-D1 State MVP Award after scoring two goals with one assist in the FinalMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“I’m still at a loss for words,” Chen said after the final whistle. “We just had it, and we knew what we were capable of. Our confidence in each other really showed, and we played to our style, which worked out for us.
“One of the mottos for this year has been ‘All Gas, No Brakes,’ because we had nothing to lose as seniors. At the end of the day, we left it all out there on the field.”
The win marks a historic moment for a Coppell team that embraced the pressure of expectations and delivered in emphatic fashion.
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
“They just believed in themselves and in each other,” said Coach Able. “All year long we preached our depth and how everyone contributes. Each girl bought into their role and into the system of how we do things as a team. I think everyone just saw all their work pay off.”
For a senior class that helped return Coppell to statewide prominence, Saturday’s win was the perfect ending — a blend of resilience, talent, and togetherness that defined their journey.
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
The FM Marcus Girls Soccer program rushes Birkelbach Field seconds after their 1-0 win against Stratford
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
Ranked No. 2 in Texas by MaxPreps, Marcus entered the match with an 18-4-3 record, leaning on a battle-tested roster that featured standouts like Maddie Hayes, Emma Fioretti (Central Oklahoma-signee), and Piper Garcia (American University).
But it was Hayes, the senior forward and now two-time state champion, who delivered the critical moment.
Just two minutes into the second half, Hayes curled a free-kick past a narrow gap in the Stratford wall, scoring a goal that would ultimately be the decider.
Said moment also led to her being named the 6A-D2 State MVP.
Marcus' Maddie Hayes (Sr. F) being presented with the 2025 UIL 6A-D2 State MVP AwardMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“I definitely had the confidence when I stepped up to that shot,” said Hayes. “I’ve been in similar situations throughout the year, and once I saw a gap through the wall towards the post, I knew that it should be in.”
For Hayes, it was a full-circle finish to her high school playing career.
“After winning it during my sophomore year, we kind of thought that it wouldn’t happen again because it’s such a rare occasion,” she said. “But bringing it back means so much more. We have such a great community that always stands behind us, so they’re going to be really happy when we come home with the gold.”
While the goal proved to be the game-winner, the Marauders' defensive unit — anchored by senior goalkeeper Aubrey Tipton — held firm against a dangerous Stratford side, which came into its first-ever Final Four appearance with a 22-2-3 record and a No. 12 state ranking.
Coach Erin Smith, who took over as interim head coach in 2023 and was later named the full-time lead after guiding Marcus to a championship that same year, praised the resilience of her team.
Head Coach Erin SmithMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“It took a lot of grit,” Smith said. “The experience that this group brings to the table shows in the most critical moments. We’ve been down before, especially in district-play, and the knowledge of what it takes to overcome has been a strength. At the end of the day, I’m so proud of them because they accomplished exactly what they set out to do from the beginning.”
This championship was especially meaningful for Smith, who led a senior class she began her tenure with — all while adjusting to life as both a head coach and new mother.
“Honestly, I’ve been able to take a deep breath this year which has been really nice,” Smith said. “After that first year in the interim position and then having a child, I had a more secure footing this season and made all the adjustments needed. What makes this one sweeter is the fact that I was able to see off the first class of seniors I began with in the best way possible. Plus, having my baby here to watch along the way has been especially sweet.”
As the final whistle blew, the Marauders celebrated not only another title but the legacy of a program that continues to raise the bar in Texas high school soccer.
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
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