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Boys soccer: Marcus tops first-place Coppell
By Justin Thomas, jthomas@starlocalnews.com
FLOWER MOUND - The race for the District 5-5A boys soccer title isn't over quite yet.
Marcus (6-1-1) kept its hopes afloat Friday night, handing first-place Coppell (7-1) its first loss since Jan. 11 with a 1-0 result to move to within a half-game with two matches remaining.
It was the Marauders' first victory over the Cowboys since February of 2010.
Marcus got the start it wanted, recording the goal that proved to be the winning margin just 1:11 into the match when Dalton Nusz scored with a header off a corner kick.
"We've struggled with set pieces all year long," said Chad Rakestraw, Coppell head coach. "That's how we've given up goals. It's been our Achilles heel, and we know it too. That's what's bad. We talked about it all week: Lets not give up a set piece or a throw-in and that's exactly what happened in the first minute."
Blake Barnes sent the ball in, where it was headed by Tyler Mouton to Nusz.
"Last time we played them (a 3-2 Coppell win), they were up one-nil in 45 seconds," Gall said. "That's all we've talked about since is starting well. There were a couple of games when we still didn't do that. Tonight, we did and when these kids are switched on and ready, they're tough to beat. That's what we're trying to reinforce."
Marcus kept the pressure on Coppell for much of the night, creating multiple scoring chances throughout, including a shot that hit the underside of the crossbar and subsequent rebound attempt that missed just high. The Marauders also had a goal taken off the board for an offsides penalty.
"When you create four or five chances against the state's No. 1 team, you're doing something right," Gall said.
Late in the second half, Mouton and Stiles had a pair of runs at the Coppell goal but each time keeper Dustin Hodges was there for the stop.
"I think we started to panic tonight," Rakestraw said. "We started to get in [Marcus'] game, which is a direct game. Just getting forward and over the top skipping the midfield. We didn't play what we do, which is slowing the game down, keeping the ball and playing simple. We never settled in."
Marcus still needs some help to claim at least a share of the district crown. Following a 10-day hiatus for Spring Break, the Marauders return to the pitch March 19 at Flower Mound before hosting Hebron March 22 to close the regular season.
"This game came at a really good time for us and gave us an awful lot of confidence going into the last couple of games and into the playoffs," Gall said. "Coppell is a great team and they're going to have a great playoff run. If it all works out and we finish first and second, hopefully we'll see them in the regional final. It's a testament to the district."
Coppell can still clinch the No. 1 seed and faces the fifth- and sixth-placed teams in district to close. The Cowboys welcome Denton Ryan March 19 before concluding March 22 at Lewisville.
"Two matches left, but the good thing is we still control our own destiny," Rakestraw said. "It's a good point for us to reassess everything and for the guys to say we aren't invincible as we get ready for the playoffs."
Marcus will be making its 22nd consecutive postseason appearance but hopes to improve on consecutive first-round exits.
"Finishing first or second is important for seeding," Gall said. "You get a decent draw. The last couple of years, we've been third or fourth and we've had the best team in the state in the first round."
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