BY OLIVIA LEWIS
The boys walked onto the stadium field in two lines, in uniform, ready to face one of their biggest rivals. Cypress Bay High School traveled all the way from Weston to play against the Cowboys. Each team waited for the girls game to finish, and then they took the field. The players warmed up by passing, shooting and dribbling. Although Cypress Bay has won states two times in a row, the Cowboys did not back down. With a few minutes left in the game, Mateo Upegui scored the second goal, winning the game for the Cowboys with a score of 2-1.
The Cowboys came out strong and pressured the ball immediately. Once they won the ball, they calmed the game down and began passing. The Cowboys moved the ball from one side of the field to the other until they found an opening in the middle. Cooper City made penetrating passes early in the game, which knocked Cypress Bay off their feet. Cypress Bay began to pick up their game and gain possession. A few minutes before the first water break, Cypress Bay made it down to the Cowboy’s defense. One of the forwards took a shot and placed it in the right corner of the goal, making the score 0-1. Cooper City quickly grabbed the ball and ran it back to the middle of the field. They fought hard for the remaining time in the first half, but the Cowboys were unable to out one in the back of the net.
After halftime, the Cowboys came out determined to beat one of the best teams in the state. Once again, they came out fighting for the ball. All this fight gave them possession right away. They passed the ball around the 18-yard box, trying to get a shot off. Soon after, Mateo Upegui took a hard shot that flew right over the goalie’s head, making the score 1-1. A few minutes later, the referee called for the second water break of the game. Cypress Bay came out trying to score another goal, but the Cowboys defense held strong and denied any opportunity. The Cowboys gained possession, close to the end of the game, and brought it down the field. Upegui received a pass from his teammate and took a shot on the goal, scoring the second goal of the game. The team went crazy, along with the fans, and played hard the entire rest of the game. When the final whistle blew, the Cowboys sprinted into their huddle, full of excitement.
“This was one of our best wins so far,” Gio Abril said. “We worked really hard for this, and we will continue to work really hard.”
This was one of the biggest games for the Cowboys all season. It showed them where they stand in the district, giving them confidence for their future games. The will continue to work hard and do everything they can to win districts.
Final score: Cooper City 2, Cypress Bay 1
Photo by Benjamin Milgram
