The top-seeded boys of Queen Creek took part in the Cactus Cup Tournament and the Chandler Invite this year but, as well know, matches won, lost or tied during invitational play have no bearing on postseason play and that’s what we are here for and that’s what the Bulldogs have been aiming for.

The Bulldogs finished with a perfect 4-0 record in the San Tan Region and a 12-0 record in conference play. Only the state tournament remains.

“The top reason our soccer team has been very successful this season is due to the players bonding together as a family and developing a chemistry that has allowed them to trust and depend on each other on and off the field,” explained longtime head coach Mauricio Ramirez.

“Being together four years in a row has united them even more. Seven out of the sixteen seniors have the opportunity to experience our soccer team winning state in 2015. This gave them a glance and feel of how great it was to be part of a state championship team.”

That 2015 squad went 16-3-2 and outscored opponents 12-0 in the Division II state playoffs. It was a dominating performance and the team is loaded once more.

Senior striker and team captain Kohlton Farrell has 12 goals and six assists on the year and he is a lefty and a strong finisher, according to Ramirez. Fellow senior Alek Herrera has six goals and 11 assists from the center-mid position and Ramirez feels Herrera has great awareness of the center field because he creates and pushes the ball up the field to the strikers.

Erick Herrera is Alek’s twin brother and he controls the center back position. Ramirez feels Erick has a great ability to anticipate and break the opponent’s offense down.

“These three players are the heart and soul of the team,” Ramirez added.

Ramirez played soccer at Queen Creek when he was in high school and he has been with the program since 2000, making the playoffs 15 times with four semifinal appearances and the state championship.  

Queen Creek will host No. 16 Ironwood Ridge (7-5-1) in the first round.

No. 14 North Canyon (8-5) won the 5A state championship last year and No. 6 Campo Verde (9-2-1) was the state runner-up. The two squads could face each other in the quarterfinal round scheduled for Feb. 3.

No. 2 Independence (10-1-1) made it to the semifinal round last year and the Patriots on the 5A Union Region.

“We returned 13 players from last year's roster, including seven starters,” said head coach Sergio Gomez. “This group has bought a culture and belief into our family that we can compete for a title. No superstars on the team, collective team effort. Having finished in the final four the last two years, the guys are eager to make another playoff run, with making the third time a charm!”

Independence will face No. 15 Arcadia (7-5-1) in first round action.

No. 3 Paradise Valley (10-2) made it to the first round last year but the Trojans are on a roll, winning 10 of their last 11 games. The Trojans will go up against North Canyon in the first round.

No. 4 Cienega (9-2-1) finished last season ranked No. 24 and did not qualify for the playoffs. The Bobcats will host No. 13 Flowing Wells (9-3-1) in the first round. The Caballeros finished with a No. 15 ranking last year but were bumped out of the playoffs by a lower seed due to the automatic berth awarded to region champions.

“The team has had a successful season because the high school has a true meaning of team spirit,” explained first-year head coach Edgar Venalonso. “We would not have gotten this far without the consistent support of the athletic department, the administrative staff and the coaching team. However, the greatest reason for the success of our school this year is due to the commitment and dedication of the student athletes on our team.”