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Coppell logo (SportsDay Staff, SportsDay Staff)
BEDFORD – Neerali Kapadia at 5-2 and 100 pounds is a difference-maker with a soccer ball at her feet.
The Rice signee scored her second hat-trick of the season to lead Coppell to a 5-2 victory over South Grand Prairie in a Class 6A Division I area-round playoff Tuesday night at Pennington Field.
"Neerali has great inner balance and she is one of the few that can dribble as fast as she can straight-sprint," said Coppell coach Craig Able.
Last year Kapadia helped Coppell win the program's third state championship and she believes this team is again on pace.
"We were better in the regular season than last year," said Kapadia, who leads the team with 23 goals. "And for some of us, this is our last chance."
Coppell (21-2-1), No. 4 in The Dallas Morning Newsfinal 6A area ranking and No. 5 in the state by MaxPreps, extended its streak of playoff victories to eight.
The Cowgirls advance to a Region I semifinal to face the winner of the Midland Legacy-Mansfield Lake Ridge area playoff.
Related:2026 UIL girls soccer playoff pairings: Schedule and results for Dallas-area teams
South Grand Prairie (21-3-1), No. 9 in the 6A area and No. 22 in the state, came up short in its attempt to reach the third playoff round for the first time since back-to-back appearances in 1995-96.
"This is a great bunch of kids," said South Grand Prairie coach Mark Bolton. "Very well-balanced. And they fought to the end."
Sophomore Blake Folse scored both of the Lady Warrior goals in the second half, the first cutting the Coppell lead to 3-1.
Kapadia staked Coppell to a 1-0 lead after just four minutes, dribbling 30 yards and evading defenders before pulling the trigger on a 15-yard laser.
Another determined run by Kapadia indirectly led to the Cowgirls' second goal at 21:52 of the first half. This time her shot from closer range right of the goal was blocked by Lady Warriors keeper Olivia Garza. But it set up Logan Kutchins' corner kick. Emeline Holder was on the receiving end and her shot was tapped in from close range by Rachel Mathew for her seventh goal of the season for a 2-0 intermission lead.
The advantage grew to 3-0 on Kapadia's charge down the right flank ending on a goal from close range.
With 11 minutes left, Kapadia made it 4-1 and secured the hat trick,
Addison Hamm headed in the final Coppell goal off a 35-yard free kick.
Coppell and South Grand Prairie last met in a bi-district playoff in 2004 and the Cowgirls prevailed 1-0.
Last season's state title was the third for the Coppell girls with the other championships coming in 2009 and 2015.
Coppell, which defeated Allen 3-1 in a bi-district playoff, came into the match outscoring opponents 100-13.
South Grand Prairie advanced over bi-district opponent Lake Highlands 2-1 in overtime, avenging a 4-0 loss in the same round to Lake Highlands in 2025.
Area Results
Argyle 4, Burleson 0: Argyle takes on Wylie in the regional semifinal later this week.
Aubrey 8, Village Tech 0: Aubrey moves on to face Henderson later this week.
Denton Guyer 4, Richardson Pearce 0: Denton Guyer will face Midland in the regional semifinal.
Forney 8, Mesquite 0: Forney will take on Cy Woods in the regional semifinal.
Frisco Reedy 5, McKinney North 0
Frisco Wakeland 6, Jacksonville 2: Audrey Gilbert's four goals and one assist pushed Wakeland through to the regional semifinal.
Lovejoy 2, Frisco Lone Star 1: Ella York and Kinley Short's goals were enough to move Lovejoy past Lone Star. Kenzie Lavender and Izzy Brodelius provided the assists.
Midlothian 4, North Mesquite 0: Midlothian will take on Prosper Walnut Grove in the regional semifinal.
Midlothian Heritage 4, Hillcrest 0
Plano East 7, Arlington Martin 1
Prosper 3, Arlington 0: Taylee Wood opened the scoring with an assist from Sam Tovar before Izzy Wilson and Khloe Griffith netted the final two goals in the second half with assist from Marlie Kaipus and Addy Cox. Keeper Josie Juvera finished with five saves and her defense of Tovar, Eller Brinkerhoff, Elise Hennigan and Lauren King maintained a clean sheet.
Prosper Richland 7, North Dallas 0
Prosper Walnut Grove 2, Highland Park 0: Brynlie Ward and Ellery Robson's goals were the different for Walnut Grove as the team moves on to face Midlothian.
Southlake Carroll 3, Wolfforth Frenship 0: Prosper and Southlake Carroll are set for a regional semifinal clash later this week at a time and location to be determined.
Wylie 2, El Paso Burges 0: Wylie takes on Argyle in the regional semifinal.
Wylie East 8, Mesquite Horn 0: Wylie East advances to face Tomball in the regional semifinal.
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