BY HAILEY BROWN
St. Thomas has been known to dominate most schools in any sport, due to their accessibility to resources public schools may not have access to. They have players that specifically go to the school just to play their sport. With all of that being said, the Cowboys were able to come very close to beating St. Thomas, but tied them instead. The Cowboys were able to hold the score at 0-0 until half, and finished the game with a score of 1-1.
On Friday, December 8 the Cowboys faced off against St. Thomas Aquinas at St. Thomas High School. The Cowboys started the game with a lot of ball movement. They played the ball to feet and had many successful runs, resulting in many shots that were unsuccessful. Cooper City was able to keep St. Thomas far enough away from the goal to prevent any close range shots that could result in a goal for St. Thomas. The score remained 0-0 at water break. In the short break, the Cowboys discussed things to help one another become more successful in the game.
Senior Mateo Upegui was fouled in the box in front of St. Thomas’s goal, giving Cooper City a penalty kick. Upegui lined up and waited for the whistle to blow, to signify that he could take the shot. The goalie for St. Thomas was able to make the save and keep the 0-0 score. The game continued similar to before and the half ended with the score remaining 0-0.
At half, the Cowboys talked about game-related situations, how to fix mistakes and how to create more goal scoring opportunities. After half, both teams hit the field with scoring on their minds. The game once again continued as it had before, the Cowboys moved the ball quick and frequently. St. Thomas was able to take the ball down the field and end up in Cowboy territory, just before the Cowboys own 18 yard box. A foul on Cooper City gave St. Thomas a free kick towards the top of the 18. A player from St. Thomas sent the ball over the wall and into the chaos in front of the goal. The keeper was not able to make the save and St. Thomas took the lead, making the score 1-0.
The Cowboys regained possession and proceeded to move the ball down the field. The Cowboys were able to take the ball down the field and into St Thomas territory. While taking the ball down the field, Brian Rios was fouled by St Thomas and received a free kick not far from the 18. In an effort to redeem himself from the missed penalty earlier in the game, Upegui took the free kick. Upegui was able to put the ball in the back of the net and tie the game for the Cowboys. Cooper City and St. Thomas were both trying to score and take the lead but the game ended and the score remained 1-1.
“We played a very great game against a very strong opponent,” junior Emre Taskin said. “We played our heart out in that game. Even though we tied 1-1, it felt like a victory to us.”
Final score: Cooper City 1, St. Thomas 1
Photo by Benjamin Milgram
