Old Pueblo Soccer Classic
October 4, 2014 by Andy Morales, AZPreps365
October 3-4: Tucson Udall Park
Kryptonite, roadblock, mountain, bully…. it doesn't matter what you call the school, Lakeside Blue Ridge has been the one team the Desert Christian girl's soccer team has been unable to figure out.
In reality, the Yellow Jackets have only won a handful of matches against Desert Christian but the wins did includ two state championship finals (2008 and 2012). Desert Christian came close with a tie in 2013 but they finally came through on Friday night at the Old Pueblo Soccer Classic held at Udall Park in Tucson.
"Blue Ridge beat us 5-1 earlier in the year but that was six weeks ago," explained first-year head coach Sonny Cray. "They were just coming off of their club season and we were just starting. I felt like Rich Rod (referring to the University of Arizona's upset win over Oregon the night before) and told the girls that we could do this. I promised them we could."
And they did.
Blue Ridge took a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute on a score by Hannah Flodin but junior forward Sarah Butler tied it up on a pass from Juliet Saxton nine minutes later. Hannah Bjorgum took a Zoe Perkins pass to the net in 47th minute and Desert Christian had finally beaten their nemesis straight up without the aide of penalty kicks or controversy.
Cray took over a squad that no longer has players such as Sara Boice, Lexi Rorrer or even his own daughters Jenna and Kristen terrorizing opponents but he does have seasoned all-stars such as Butler and Bjorgum along with numerous players who blend together well to make this another team ready for a championship run.
Six of the top 10 teams in the state made the drive down to Tucson for this annual invitational. Desert Christian is the only Division IV girl's soccer team in all of Southern Arizona.
On the boy's side, seven of the top 10 teams took part, including the top four. The Desert Christian boys are currently ranked fourth in D-IV fall soccer with their only sectional loss coming against Willcox at the end of September.
Desert Christian does not field a football team due to the size of the school but the result has been one of the strongest soccer programs in the state with six finals appearances since 1994.
Steve Lord coached them to the finals in 2010 and in 2012 and it looks like he has another squad ready for another run.
The Eagles took care of Camp Verde 4-0 on Saturday morning with Michael Lord scoring in the 5th and again in the 9th (Jacob Foxworthy) then Foxworthy scored in the 36th (Tommy McGuire) and Palmer Hoffman ended the scoring in the 55th (McGuire).
Desert Christian travels to Chandler AZ College Prep on Tuesday but their final four matches will be played at home.
BOYS SCORES
Friday, October 3
Chino Valley 3, Show Low 0
Chino Valley 5, The Gregory School 0
Willcox 0, Show Low 0
Willcox 5, St. Johns 0
Payson 4, Benson 0
Payson 5, Camp Verde 4
Snowflake 3, Camp Verde 0
Desert Christian 1, Blue Ridge 1
Desert Christian 4, Snowflake 0
St. Johns 5, Round Valley 2
The Gregory School 3, Round Valley 2
Saturday, October 4
Desert Christian 4, Camp Verde 0
Desert Christian 4, St. Johns 1
Willcox 2, Payson 2
Willcox 4, Round Valley 0
Blue Ridge 5, The Gregory School 0
Blue Ridge 0, Chino Valley 0
Chino Valley 5, Snowflake 0
Show Low 6, The Gregory School 0
Show Low 4, Benson 0
Camp Verde 5, Round Valley 2
Snowflake 3, Benson 1
Payson 7, St. Johns 0
GIRLS SCORES
Friday, October 3
Desert Christian 2, Blue Ridge 1
Round Valley 1, Show Low 0
Round Valley 0, Blue Ridge 0
Snowflake 3, Camp Verde 0
Snowflake 0, St. Johns 0
St. Johns 2, Show Low 0
Saturday, October 4
Camp Verde 3, Show Low 1
Snowflake 2, Desert Christian 1
St. Johns 1, Round Valley 0
