WALDEN GROVE BOYS 7, PUSCH RIDGE 0

 

Walden Grove improved to 1-1 on the year thanks to a 7-0 win at Pusch Ridge. The Red Wolves lost to Cienega 3-2 at home on Monday to open up pool play in the Brandon Bean Classic and the team will face Empire Wednesday night as pool play moves to Salpointe.

Mario Garcia scored twice to lead Walden Grove while Sammie Ciruli, Javier Iriarte, Alex Oquita, Jordan Lopez and Joseph Miranda added goals. Iriarte had two assists.

Walden Grove made the jump from Division II to the 4A Conference in 2016 and the team finished the year ranked No. 26 and out of the playoffs. A No. 14 ranking a year later resulted in a spot in the 4A play-in bracket and the Red Wolves moved up to No.11 last year with a spot in the first round of the 4A playoffs.

“I’ve had these guys for the last four years and we are loaded with upperclassmen including 10 seniors and five juniors,” head coach Ryan Atkinson said. “I’m returning everyone but one senior and I’m hoping that experience of playing at a higher level prepares them for this year. Overall, it’s pretty exciting.”

On the other side, Geoff Neale is in his first year at Pusch Ridge as he attempts to replace longtime coach Bob Coate who passed away in August. Neale inherits a young squad with only a handful of seniors on board.

“As coaches we are also trying to figure out this team,” Neale explained. “We want them to be able to work hard for each other and we know we have some big shoes to try to fill and we hope to do justice to what Bob built here.”

(Andy Morales/AZPreps365.com)

 

WALDEN GROVE GIRLS 2, PUSCH RIDGE 1

 

Second-year coach Uli Atkinson led the Red Wolves to a No. 11 ranking in her first year and a trip to the 4A playoffs. Her team is now 1-1 on the year after beating Pusch Ridge 2-1 Tuesday night but the Red Wolves had to battle back from behind to secure the victory in the Brandon Bean Classic.

Emma Garnand put the Lions up 1-0 in the 12th minute and that held up until Meredith Scott put one away for the Red Wolves in the 30th. Baylie Tracy scored in the 52nd for the win.

The goals were limited thanks to the play of Pusch Ridge goalie Danitza Carreon. Carreon picked up 13 saves in her first year playing the sport.

“It was really scary at first because this was the first full game for me,” Carreon explained.  “I always told myself I would never play soccer but my friends told me they needed a goalie and asked me to play so I gave it a try.”

Amy Garelick is in her sixth year with Pusch Ridge and the legendary coach has a résumé that includes two “Coach of the Year” honors while leading the FC Tucson Women of the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) and her work at the club and college level has produced a deep coaching tree.

Garlick coached former Tanque Verde head coach Jasmine Stokes, current Catalina Foothills head coach Sou Moussa-Torres, current FC Tucson Women and Salpointe head coach Kelly Pierce and current Mountain View Marana head coach Paige Maggio.

Pusch Ridge and Walden Grove have Wednesday off but both squads will be back in action on Thursday with the Lions playing Cienega and the Red Wolves going up against Empire.

“I really hope to build off the momentum we built last year,” Atkinson said. “The girls listen and they have a desire to learn about the game. They are asking questions and I hope their knowledge of the game translates to their play on the field.”

(Andy Morales/AZPreps365.com)

 

THE BRANDON BEAN

34 teams are taking part in the Brandon Bean Kickoff Classic hosted by Salpointe. In all, 18 boys teams and 16 girls teams are competing in four days of pool play with Monday and Tuesday taking place at high schools across Southern Arizona.

The Brandon Bean Classic is held every year to honor a former Salpointe player who passed away in 1992 after an on-field collision at a soccer scrimmage. In addition, the tournament also honors former Lancer Laura Kea who died in an auto accident on her way to a soccer