Casteel shut down its opponents and any doubt during the regular season that it’s not prepared to win the program’s first championship.

It did so, above all, with its defense, allowing the Queen Creek team to earn the No. 1 seed in the 3A Conference girls soccer state tournament.

“The No. 1 reason we’ve been successful has to be because of our overall team commitment to defense,” coach Jason Hammonds said. “We have forwards and midfielders asking to play on defense to help keep the zero. The entire team is committed to this goal.”

In 19 games, Casteel’s impenetrable defense has yielded only one goal.

The scoreless streak of goalkeeper Kyli Swann, just a sophomore, in regulation and overtime is at 1,440 minutes. The 1-0 loss Casteel suffered came after a penalty kick round, and the team it lost to, Mountain Pointe, reached the 6A Conference playoffs this season.

But the playoffs are a different animal as Casteel learned during its second round playoff loss last season, when the program was without veteran leadership.

But, with its first junior class, that’s not the case this year. Besides its maturity, what’s also helping steer Casteel toward positive results is its principal, Sandy Lundberg, who is battling cancer.

“The girls have dedicated their play this season to her,” Hammonds said.

With more than 20 players having already scored goals this season, it seems like every player is stepping up for their team and Lundberg.

Casteel's captains, right wing McKenna Radder, center back Zoey Chambers and forward Samantha Anger, and a talented freshman, Renee Sainz, are the leading the charge.

“McKenna is a junior who’s been with our program since Day 1,” Hammonds said. “McKenna shows what it means to be team first. Leading the team in assists.

“Zoey is also a junior who’s been with us since the first days of our program. Zoey is one of players who shows the meaning of perseverance every game. Shey plays all heart from start to finish. Sam is a sophomore who’s been with us since 8th grade. Since her first day, she’s been a goal scoring machine. Sam (33 goals) came close to being the state goal scoring leader last year, and is on track to be in the running again this year.”

Casteel’s (17-1-1) pipeline of young talent likely won’t end soon since it plays without seniors, and a freshman, Sainz, is also delivering.

Sainz is second on the team in assists with 15 and goals with 19.

“We also don’t have a single transfer,” Hammonds said. “Every member of the varsity team attended the school last year with our first varsity team. Even the three freshmen on varsity attended Casteel as 8th graders. What these women have done over the last two years has been amazing. The best part is they’re just getting started.”

(Fountain Hills is seeking a three-peat. Photo by Mark Jones/maxpreps.com)

Fountain Hills still in hunt as well as others

Fountain Hills, the two-time defending champ and three-time state champ in the past four seasons, continued to win despite saying goodbye to a head coach and one of the better players to ever suit up in the 3A.

Coach Alison Mabery stepped down after last season’s dominant 2-0 win over Trivium Prep in the 3A final. Mabery was in charge during Fountain Hills’ recent championship stretch.

The program also sent Erika Yost off on a good note. Yost wrapped up her high school career last season with 104 career goals.

But new leaders emerged on the sidelines and on the field during another strong regular season run for Fountain Hills this season, helping the program garner the No. 2 seed in the state tourney under first-year coach Gary Shindler.

Senior Selina Reisig has scored a team-high 27 goals with the help of freshmen Parker Sweet (state-high 29 assists) and Ashby Owens (team second-best 10 goals). The four freshmen on Fountain Hills’ team have each played 574 or more minutes this season.

Fountain Hills’ (13-2) only 3A loss this year came to No. 9 seed Gilbert Christian.

The teams in 3A are probably learning how to pronounce pronounce Veritas (Ver-eh-toss) Prep this season.

That’s because they are noticing what the No. 3 seed is doing this season under the direction of an up and coming, energetic coach, Senko Redzic.

Veritas doesn’t sound like fajitas, but that’s how it’s mispronounced by some folks, Redzic said.

“We are a little school that’s trying to win its first title,” said Redzic about his Phoenix program. “They simply believe in themselves. They’re extremely positive, intelligent, talented, capable young ladies who don’t know how to quit. The ball never stops moving, and neither do they. They keep improving and learning from every experience, fully immersing themselves in every moment. They’re not afraid of losing, nor are they afraid of being great. After all, luck follows the brave.”

The same can be said about Redzic’s parents, who emigrated during a war in their native Croatia more than 35 years ago.

Veritas Prep’s win record has increased every year since Redzic took over three years ago. The 13-1 team’s defeat came in its season opener to No. 4 seed Scottsdale Prep.

A junior, Kylie Hall (35 goals, 19 assists), and a freshman, Bella Gulbranson (24 goals, 17 assists), are just two of the young players that have Veritas Prep poised to make a couple of runs at a state title.

“Kylie is an extraordinary talent,” Redzic said. “She has a penchant for taking over games. She’s often double and triple teamed, and she still finds a way to score and or provide assists.

“With Bella, watch out for this extraordinary talent.”

Redzic also was high on center back Bailey Fisher, a “natural born leader with a cannon for a right leg.”

Hall, Fisher and goalkeeper Meg Van Brunt are Veritas Prep’s three captains.

“Meg has a braver heart than William Wallace,” the coach said. “She has a penchant for playing really well in big games.”

Veritas Prep’s first playoff game is against No. 14 seed Thatcher at home.

“I want to turn a once bad program into a champion,” Redzic said. “Everything is possible with enough love, positivity, faith and hard-work.”

Notes

No. 5 Trivium Prep is led by junior goalkeeper Tori Gutierrez (9 shutouts), junior midfielder Paula Rosztoczy (14 goals) and sophomore Sammy Johnson (15 goals, 11 assists). Not only did Trivium Prep lose in the 3A soccer finals last season to Fountain Hills, it also lost to Fountain Hills in the 3A beach volleyball final. Five of Trivium Prep’s soccer players also play beach volleyball. “The girls have played together since middle school,” coach Donald Radford said. “They are all very good friends, and team chemistry is at the core of their success.” … No. 9 Gilbert Christian lost its state semifinal game and its best weapons in the middle of the field last year. This year, the team starts three freshmen on defense since returning player Lexy Feely (ACL) is out. Sophomore Hannah Burke leads the team in scoring with 15 goals. “Ambria Krahling, who led the state in assists last year, switched to sweeper to anchor our defense,” coach Jay Feely said. “It was a very selfless move, one she didn’t really want to do. But it has made us a very sound defense, and she tells the three freshmen what to do in front of her.” Anna Johnsen has done a good job as the new center midfielder, Jay said. Grace Johnson has battled through injuries but is still scoring goals. Ambria Krahling has scored four goals on free kicks, and goalkeeper Hallie Searles “has been fantastic.” … No. 7 Northwest Christian starts six of its eight freshmen, but senior captain Makenna Barton (33 goals), junior defender Logan Maszton and senior defenders Moriah Lara and Makenna McClure are there to back the younger players. Coach Jeff Penzone is in his 14th year coaching soccer at Northwest Christian, fourth with the girls. Penzone’s assistant, Eric Maszton, also brings a lot of soccer knowledge to the table, Penzone said.