Arizona United SC moves to Scottsdale Stadium for 2015 season

The Arizona United Soccer Club announced Scottsdale Stadium will be the team's home for the 2015 USL PRO season.

The announcement came via a notice to season ticket holders and a press release issued by the team early Tuesday morning.

“This is the next step in professional soccer’s evolution in Arizona,” Arizona United Soccer Club owner Kyle Eng said through the release. “Our mission is to serve the entire Arizona soccer community, and this move will bring the beautiful game to a wider audience. With Scottsdale Stadium’s proximity to restaurants and nightlife in Downtown Scottsdale, our supporters will enjoy a game day experience that is second to none.”

Scottsdale Mayor W. J. "Jim" Lane was on hand as members of the Arizona United organization toured the stadium complex Tuesday afternoon.

"Given the popularity of soccer worldwide, and the growing popularity of soccer in the United States, I can only imagine [playing in Scottsdale] is going to positive," Lane said. "We're always looking for the right kind of connection for Scottsdale. Having an event, particularly a sports related event, is an added experience. It's always a plus for us."

Lane also said proximity to downtown Scottsdale will benefit the business and soccer fans alike. Arizona United's season will begin just as the busiest tourist season is waning.

"This is a big plus," Lane said.  "For our downtown, at that point in the season, there will be a lot of things [visitors] can do downtown."

Lane added he doesn't foresee any issues moving crowds in and out of the area on game days.

"We have facilities that are really wide open that time of year," Lane said. "We're not into the heavy season with an influx of a lot of visitors.

"You're going to have free parking. It's a mainstay and a requirement of the City of Scottsdale. There's more than enough capacity to meet the needs [Arizona United] anticipates."

Arizona United's newest signee, Rob Valentino, is also excited about the team's move to Scottsdale.

"I've been describing it as my big kid dream come true," Valentino said.  "When I was a young kid I didn't have the dream to be able to play professional soccer in my backyard and know I do.

"It feels good to be home with family and friends and now to be in Scottsdale, it's great. This is where I grew up playing with Sereno. It will be fun to play in professional games here."

Scottsdale Stadium is located at 7408 E. Osborn Rd, just east of Scottsdale Road between Thomas and Indian School Roads.

Representatives from Arizona United SC flank Scottsdale Mayor W. J. "Jim" Lane during a visit to Scottsdale Stadium. Pictured are (l to r) Brad Stisser, Asst. Coach Cory Robertson, Head Coach Mike Dellorusso, Mayor Lane, General Manager Kevin Stevenson, Scott Morrison, Rob Valentino.

Verrado girls soccer opens with 6-0 win over Chavez

  The defending state champion Verrado girls soccer team began its 2014-15 season with a target on its back. Many teams will work just a little harder to try to get the edge on the Vipers this season.

  Verrado’s opening match of the season was played at Cesar Chavez High School in Phoenix on Tuesday.  The Vipers emerged victorious with a 6-0 win.

  The Vipers have  several players with experience from last year’s title winning team, as well as players who have move up from Junior Varsity. The Vipers also have four freshmen on the roster.

Jessica Farmer

  Despite what may have been a brief, sluggish start the Vipers found an opportunity during the 15th minute of the game when Jessica Farmer snagged the ball near the top of the 18-yard box, took a few touches as she moved toward the net and blasted the ball past the keeper to give Verrado a 1-0 lead.

  From that point forward Verrado peppered the Chavez goal with a steady barrage of shots from all angles.

Hallie Shippy

  Verrado scored again a few minutes later when Hallie Shippy took the ball toward net from midfield and fired a shot from 15 yards out. The ball took a slight deflection off the keepers right foot and into the goal.

Sandra Christiansson

  Sandra Christiansson was the next Viper to score. She dribbled the ball down the left side and fired a shot from a very tight angle. The Chavez keeper was able to get a hand on the ball but it still found the side netting.

  A fourth  first-half goal was added just before time expired. Christiansson centered a ball from the left side finding Sierra Smith directly in front of the goal. Smith put the ball into the net with one touch.

Sierra Smith

  Sierra Smith opened the scoring in the second half when she dribbled the ball from just right of center and fired from about 20 yards away to make the score 5-0 with 26 minutes to go in the game.

  Verrado got it’s last goal on a genuine golazo by Christiansson who scored on a corner kick. She was able to bend the ball directly into the net from the right side.

   Up next the Lady Vipers take on Betty Fairfax at Verrado on Friday, Dec. 12. Game time is 6:00 p.m.

Arizona State falls to Arizona

Wildcats claim PAC-12 South Title

  A sign outside the Arizona State football locker room at Arizona Stadium in Tucson read “Warning! The temperature on the field is 109° F.”

  The temperature on the field became the least of the Sun Devils worries during the team’s first offensive series last Friday when Arizona’s star linebacker Scooby Wright III hacked scrambling ASU quarterback Taylor Kelly, causing a fumble. Arizona Safety Anthony Lopez scooped up the ball and ran 25 yards to the end zone for a touchdown just 44 seconds into the game.

  It was not the start Arizona State wanted. The ultimately lost 42-35.

  At stake in the ASU-UA game was a possible PAC-12 South title and an opportunity to play Oregon for the PAC-12 Championship. A loss by UCLA meant the winner of the ASU-UA game would clinch the PAC-12 South title.

Scooby Wright III

  Arizona State (9-3) returned the favor with a defensive touchdown of its own when Wildcat quarterback Anu Solomon lost the ball inside Arizona’s 5-yard line. Sun Devil defensive lineman Demetrius Cherry grabbed the ball and dived 2 yards for the score to tie the game at 7-7 with just less than six minutes to go in the first quarter.

  Arizona (10-2) answered quickly with a 69-yard scoring pass from Solomon to Samajie Grant on the third play of the following drive.

  The teams continue to trade touchdowns with the score even at 21-21 at the break.

  The Wildcats gave themselves some breathing room in the third quarter by scoring twice on rushes by Nick Wilson to widen their margin to 35-21.

  Late in the third quarter Arizona State Head Coach Todd Graham opted to keep starting quarterback Kelly on the sidelines and let Mike Bercovici call the signals for remainder of the game. Bercovici responded and threw two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter.  The first touchdown got Arizona State to within seven points of the Wildcats, but Arizona again responded when a second Solomon to Grant touchdown pass increased the lead to two touchdowns with the score 42-28.

  As the lead increased, the buzz in the stands among Arizona fans tuned into the internet began to swell as word that Stanford was leading UCLA in Pasadena. If Arizona was able to maintain its lead the team would win the PAC-12 South title.

  Bercovici, however, was not done yet and led the Devils on a 78-yard drive capped by a 9-yard scoring pass to De’Marieya Nelson with just over five minutes remaining.

  Arizona State’s defense stopped the Wildcats on the ensuing possession and forced a punt but the Devils were not able to capitalize and the drive ended with Bercovici throwing three straight incomplete passes allowing Arizona to take possession on downs.

  The Wildcats ran out the clock to win the game and the celebration was on.

  Arizona Fans stormed the field as members of the Wildcat team took possession of the Territorial Cup, the original and newly revived trophy passed to the winning team at the end of each year’s rivalry game.

  Arizona will now face Oregon in the PAC-12 Championship game in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday.  Both teams have incentive to perform well and win that game as Oregon is hoping to maintain its position in the top four schools eligible for the NCAA National Championship playoffs.  Arizona must win to be considered a candidate for one of the top four spots.

Arizona State ends 2014 home schedule with 52-31 victory over Cougars

Team heads to Tucson to play in Territorial Cup game Friday

Arizona State quarterback Taylor Kelly acknowledges fans in the student section during senior recognition prior to Saturday’s game against Washington State.

  Arizona State weathered a rocky start to it’s PAC-12 conference game against the Washington State Cougars on Saturday and rebounded from a 21-7 deficit to earn a 52-31 victory.

  It appeared the Devils came out flat following last week’s disappointing loss to Oregon State—A lost that dashed any hopes Arizona State had of earning one of the coveted top 4 playoff spots in the NCAA football championship playoffs.

  Tough play by the defense that earned five turnovers that resulted in 35 offensive points.  Arizona State intercepted Cougar quarterback Luke Falk four times and recovered on fumble.

Add captionWashington State quarterback Luke Falk hits the deck after being sacked for an 11-yard loss by Arizona State defensive lineman Marcus Hardison.

  Arizona State Senior Quarterback Taylor Kelly, who endured several rounds of boos from the crowd during a lackluster first half, went 15-of 25  for 232 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown strike to Cameron Smith.

  Arizona State rallied at the end of the first half and scored two touchdowns during the last 3:12 of the half to tie the game at 21.  A field goal by the Cougars as time expired in the first half gave Washington State a 24-21 lead at half, but the momentum appeared to have already shifted in Arizona State’s direction.

  Senior running back D.J. Foster lead the Sun Devils in rushing, gaining 96 yard on 15 carries. He scored all three rushing touchdowns for Arizona State.

  Damrious Randall led Arizona State on defense with 11 total tackles during the game, followed by Laiu Moeakiola who had 8 tackles.

  One of the defensive highlights of the game was a fumble recovery and return by Arizona State linebacker Viliami Latu. After recovering the ball Latu lumbered 51-yards down the Washington State sideline to the 18-yard line. Foster scored and 18-yard rushing touchdown on the next play.

  Arizona State’s final game of the season comes Friday as the Devils take on Arizona in the annual Territorial Cup game.

  The PAC-12 South championship could be on the line during the Territorial Cup game. Arizona State, Arizona and UCLA all have an opportunity to win the South crown. If UCLA loses to Stanford University on Friday, the winner of the Arizona State-Arizona game will win the South and play Oregon for the PAC-12 Championship.

Vipers fall to Canyon Del Oro

Verrado’s team captains Darby Neal, Eric Ruiz, Eric Cabello and Ross Dietz walk hand-in-hand to the center of the field for the coin toss in last Friday’s game played at Canyon Del Oro High School in Tucson.

  Verrado football’s season of firsts came to an end following a 38-21 loss to the Canyon Del Oro Dorados in a game played in Tucson last Friday.  It was Verrado’s first-ever post season football appearance.

  The Vipers struck first, scoring on their first possession of the game. Verrado marched the length of the field and scored on a 1-yard quarterback keeper by Lathon Lax with 7:48 remaining in the first quarter.

 CDO quickly countered to tie the game and went on to score  28 points before the Vipers got back on the board following a 4-yard run by running back Donte Richardson to make the score 28-14.

 The Dorados put the next 10 points on the scoreboard to increase their lead to 38-14, but the Vipers scored once again when Senior quarterback Eric Ruiz hit Senion Nathan Roehl on a 3-yard touchdown pass with less than a minute remaining to make the score 38-21.

  The end of game marked the end of Verrado’s best season in its 7-year varsity history.

  Following the game head coach Derek Wahlstrom said he was very proud of the Vipers.

  “We have a team the 9-2 and made the playoffs for the first time in school history,” Wahsltrom said.  "We set all kinds of school records. The one thing I’d like everybody to know is they’re better young men than they are players. We got some outstanding young men in this team, program and community that we are blessed to coach."

a host of Vipers gang tackles CDO ball carrier Martin Holloway during the fourth quarter of the November 7th game.

Verrado’s Benton wins Division II girls golf title

Verrado’s Kaylee Benton patiently waits her turn to putt at the 18th green at Maryvale golf course in Phoenix on Tuesday. Benton carded a 4-under-par during the two-day tournament to win the Div. II girls state championship.

  This could have been Verrado’s Kaylee Benton’s second Division II golf title.  Benton took a lead into the last hole of the 2013 championship round but a drive that failed to carry a fairway bunker added extra strokes that resulted in a third place finish.

  Fast forward to Tuesday and the score line suggests there was little doubt Benton, a Senior, had what was needed to win.

  “I felt pretty confident. I’ve been taking my coach’s (local pro Matt Currey) advice and playing one shot at a time. So I went into today just knowing it was a new day. I did my very best to play shot-by-shot.”

  Benton shot a 5-under-par 67 during the final round of the two day tournament, held at Phoenix’s Maryvale Golf Course, to take a decisive four stroke lead into the clubhouse. The closest challenger was Haylin Harris from Tucson Salpointe who finished the tournament at even par.

Kaylee Benton poses with her first place 

medal after winning the Div. II girls 

golf championship.

  Hole 9 at Maryvale was a pivotal hole for Benton during both rounds. She eagled the 407-yard, par-5 hole on both days giving her four strokes that equaled her margin of victory.

  “(Hole 9) was a lot shorter than the other par-5s so I had an iron instead of a wood,” Benton said. “It played like a par-4 pretty much so I just made it up and down from the fairway.”

  The back 9 was clicking for Benton. “I focused hole-by-hole and tried not to think about 18,” She said. “ I just tried to think about what I was doing and kept increasing my lead and it took the pressure off.”

  Benton’s lead increased as the hole progressed and she had a comfortable lead after making birdie on 17 and headed toward the 18th tee.

  She made par on the last hole of the tournament, calmly placed the pin back in the cup and walked off the green to the greetings of her teammates.

  Benton, who is heading to the University of Nevada Las Vegas to play golf, was not the only winner on the day. The Verrado girls team also won the Section championship and was awarded the section plaque. The lady Viper team finished 5th overall.

  Verrado’s boys played in their division championship tournament. Daniel Kirkendall was the top player on the Viper team finishing at 5-over-par and tied for sixth place overall. The Viper boys as a team also finished in sixth place.

Verrado volleyball enters season’s final stretch

Verrado's Kayla Steg goes for the kill against two Sunnyslope opponents.

  The Verrado High School volleyball team is nearing the end of its 2014 season with  just three matches to go beginning with a match against Glendale on Oct. 23.

  The Vipers record, through the team’s 3-0 loss to Sunnyslope on Tuesday, now stands at 11-3  in regular season play and 8-3 in section play.

  Verrado is currently ranked in third place in the Div. II, Section III standings behind Sunnyslope and Notre Dame Preps and just ahead of Agua Fria based on division winning percentage.

  As of the AIA power rankings of Oct. 22 the team is sitting in 16th place, with the result form the Sunnyslope game yet to be figured into the ranking.

  Prior to the Sunnyslope game the team fell to district rival Agua Fria 2-3.

  Verrado has been without a key player for the past few games. Senior Rylie Steg, a key hitter and defender up front, has been unable to play due to injury.

  In AIA State Tournament play 16 teams will be award playoff berths. The winner from each of the six Div. II sections will receive an automatic bid and 10 teams will receive at-large bids based on the division rankings.

  In addition to the Glendale match, the Vipers will also face section foe Paradise Valley on Oct. 28 and non-division opponent Cactus on Oct. 30.

Verrado's Celine White (right) taps the away from a Sunnyslope opponent for a point during Verrado's 3-0 loss to the Vikings.

Verrado football rebounds vs Shadow Ridge; Wins 45-27

Verrado's Johnny Johnson goes airborne while returning a kick during Verrado's 45-27 victory over Shadow Ridge.

  The Verrado High School varsity football team got back in the winning column following a 45-27 victory over the Shadow Ridge Stallions in a game played at Verrado on Oct. 17.

  The Vipers jumped into the lead handily during the first half of the game by scoring 14 points in the first quarter and 21 points in the 2nd quarter.

  Verrado’s first score came on a 5-yard pass from Lathon Lax to Anthony Enriquez.

  The Vipers scored again shortly afterward when Ja’Tai Jenkins returned a Stallion punt 83 yards down the left side for the touchdown.

  In the second quarter the Viper scoring was done by players who have demonstrated they know how to find the end zone.

  Ross Dietz scored twice—once on a 6-yard run, and again on a 65-yard run.

  Verrado finished out the scoring during the second quarter with a 4-yard pass from Lax to Roehl.

  After the halftime break the Stallions found their legs and managed to put some point on the board, but not before Verrado scored again when Lax found Xavier James over the middle for a 15 yard touchdown to make the score 42-0.

  Shadow Ridge then followed with touchdown runs of 17, 11 and 22 yards to make the score 42-20.

  Verrado place kicker Paden Goucher hit a 35-yard field goal to make the score 45-20.

  The Stallions had one more answer for the Vipers, scoring on a 10-yard run with just under two minutes remaining in the game.

  For the Vipers the win marked their seventh victory in their year of firsts—first time beating Buckeye; first time beating Agua Fria and first winning season.

  Following the game Verrado head coach Derek Wahlstrom said he was happy with the teams effort after a week of preparation following the team’s loss to Desert Edge the previous week.

  “I was real pleased with the kids’ focus on what what coming up,” Wahlstrom said. “I felt like we’d come out and play the way we did during the first half.”

  With two winnable games to play during the regular season the Vipers stand to finish the season among state playoff contenders. The Div. III playoff picture is dominated by East Valley teams, but Verrado, Buckeye and Desert Edge at still in contention.

  The prospect of a 9-1 season for the Vipers is very real, but Wahlstrom is hesitant to stray from his “1-0” philosophy of taking one game and one win at a time.

“9-1 is out there,” Wahlstrom said, “But you can’t be 9-1 without 8-1 so that means we’ve got to go 1-0.”

  Div. III has seven sections. Each section winner will get an automatic bid to the 16 team playoff. The remaining nine teams will get at-large bids based on power rankings.

  Verrado’s two remaining games are at Sierra Linda this Friday and at Kellis on Oct. 31.

Verrado Football’s Unbeaten Streak Snapped by Desert Edge

  The Verrado varsity football team suffered its first loss of the 2014 season at the hands of the Desert Edge Scorpions last Friday. Desert Edge won 40-7.

  The Vipers entered the game with high hopes following the team’s 6-0 start; however the Scorpions speed and strength proved too much for the Vipers.

  The game started with the appearance of perhaps being a defensive duel. Neither team was able to put any points on the scoreboard during the first quarter. It was only the second time both teams had been held scoreless in the first quarter this year.

  Verrado benefitted from two big defensive plays to thwart Scorpion drives.  The Vipers held on a 4th down with 1 yard to go on Desert Edge’s first drive. A subsequent Scorpion drive was stopped when Verrado’s Devin Draper made a diving interception in front of the Desert Edge bench at mid-field.

  Desert Edge broke open the scoring during the second quarter with a 19-yard passing play and a two yard run.  A third touchdown by the Scorpions with seconds remaining in the first half gave Desert Edge a 20-0 lead at halftime and allow them to take momentum into the locker room.

  The Vipers had a promising start the second half by recovering their own onside kick attempt, but the drive ended without a score.  Another Verrado drive ended with a punt attempt. A high snapped caused the ball to roll through the end zone resulting in a safety and the score was 22-0.

  Desert Edge continued to dominate. With the score 34-0 in the fourth quarter Verrado’s Nathan Roehl picked up a rolling kickoff attempt, found the wedge and veered toward the sideline all the way to the end zone for the score to make the score 34-7.

Verrado's Nathan Roehl returns a kickoff for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of Verrados 40-7 loss to the Scorpions.

  The Scorpions managed one more score on the following drive to close out the scoring.

  The game was widely watched by followers of high school football throughout the Valley and state. It was seen as the first real test for Verrado to prove its worth as the team is enjoying its most successful varsity football campaign in the school’s history.

  Statistically, the game yielded fewer all purpose yard than other games for Verrado this season.

  Quarterbacks Lathon Lax and Maverick Gamez combined for 52 yards passing on 18 attempts. 11 sacks by the Scorpions had an affect on rushing yards with the Vipers netting a –42 yards on the night.  Ross Dietz was the leading rusher with 29 yards.

  Xavier James led the Vipers in receiving with 2 catches for 24 yards.

Verrado's Xavier James turns the corner during a touchdown return against Desert Edge.

Defensively, Dillon Ratliff led Verrado with 12 tackles followed by Emilio Rodriguez who had 8 tackles.

  Desert Edge has set the standard for football in the west valley.  The team has gone deep into the play offs and reaching the finals in previous years only to suffer defeat at the hands of strong programs from the east valley.

  Verrado head coach Derek Wahlstrom has acknowledged Desert Edge successes. The road to success for any west valley program does pass through Desert Edge. With a few stronger programs in the Section - Agua Fria, Buckeye and, now, Verrado - the potential exists for the Scorpion to feel more heat from this region in the near future.




  Next up the Vipers face Shadow Ridge during Verrado’s homecoming game on Friday, Oct. 17.

  Defensively, Dillon Ratliff led Verrado with 12 tackles followed by Emilio Rodriguez who had 8 tackles.

  Desert Edge has set the standard for football in the west valley.  The team has gone deep into the play offs and reaching the finals in previous years only to suffer defeat at the hands of strong programs from the east valley.

  Verrado head coach Derek Wahlstrom has acknowledged Desert Edge successes. The road to success for any west valley program does pass through Desert Edge. With a few stronger programs in the Section - Agua Fria, Buckeye and, now, Verrado - the potential exists for the Scorpion to feel more heat from this region in the near future.

  Next up the Vipers face Shadow Ridge during Verrado’s homecoming game on Friday, Oct. 17.

Verrado Football maintains perfect record through 6 games

Squares off against district rival Desert Edge Friday

  This coming Friday is the game for which the Verrado football program has been waiting for years.

 

  The Vipers (6-0) will face district and section foe Desert Edge in a game that will likely have a great bearing on who gets the automatic section bid to the 2014 state football tournament.

  As of this printing Verrado leads Division III, Section 7 with a 3-0 section record and an undefeated overall record. Desert Edge sits second in the section with a 2-0 section record and a 5-1 overall record.

  A win by the Vipers over the Scorpions could put the Vipers in the proverbial catbird seat with no losses and remaining games against Section 7 teams Sierra Linda and Shadow Ridge and a non-conference game against Kellis, all of which have struggled on the field this year.

  A win by the Scorpions gives Desert Edge the advantage in head-to-head play. Verrado would have win its remaining two section games, and rely on Buckeye and Agua Fria to defeat the Scorpions to win the section outright.

  Verrado Head Coach Derek Wahlstrom said his team will approach the Desert Edge game just like it has each game this season.

“Everything for us is 1-0.” Wahlstrom said. “Everything is about what's coming up.

“I told Desert Edge coach [Rich] Wellbrock and that staff over there I appreciated them setting the bar so high that we were trying to get up to. They've kind of been the model program here on the west side and in our district.”

  Waiting the wings is Buckeye, who at 2-1 in the section and 5-1 overall could play the role of spoiler if the Hawks could pull off an upset over the Scorpions when they play on Oct. 24.

Bottom line is it’s potentially a wide-open race to win the section 7 title and it’s feasible that there could be a two or three team tie-breaker in effect.

  For each school there is possibility of getting one of nine at-large bids to the tournament based on power point rankings if the team does not win the section outright; however, there are 48 teams in the section vying for the 16 playoff spots.

Verrado dominates Agua Fria

Click here to view the Agua Fria vs. Verrado photo gallery.

  Verrado reached its current 6-0 record following a 51-6 victory over Agua Fria in a game played at Verrado on Oct. 3. The Vipers came out fast, scoring its first touchdown just over a minute into the game when Verrado Junior quarterback Lathon Lax hit Ross Dietz on a 27-yard scoring pass. With three minutes to go in the first quarter Lax hit Nathan Roehl on a 27-yard pass for the teams second touchdown of the night. On Agua Fria’s next possession the Owls were forced to punt. An errant snap by center sailed over the punter’s head and Verrado was granted a safety making the score 16-0.

Verrado quarterback Lathon Lax (16) has been pressed into service most of this season following an injury suffered by Senior starter Eric Ruiz during Verrado first game. 

  The Vipers added one more score in the quarter when Dietz scored on a 41-yard play, making the score 23-0 at the end of the quarter.

  Verrado added two more scores during the second quarter—a 10-yard pass from Lax to Chris Slaughter and a one-yard run by Dietz.

Verrado’s Ross Dietz (with ball) leads the team in rushing and receiving yards. He has scored 9 touchdowns on the ground and 6 through the air.

  The score at halftime was 37-0.

  During the third quarter Verrado’s Sophomore quarterback Maverick Gamez took the helm and led the Vipers on a drive that culminated with a 4-yard run by Sophomore Donte Richardson.

  Gamez wrapped up the Viper scoring in the game hitting Freshman receiver Ja’Tai Jenkins on a 14-yard pass.

  Agua Fria managed a score late in the game when Tristan Rainey found a seam and sprinted 74 yard for the score.

Following the game Wahlstrom was beaming with pride.

“I’m really proud of our student athletes and proud of our student body,” Wahlstrom said.

  He added, “It's just a pleasure to be in this program. You get such great support from our administration and I'm very happy to tell [Principal Tom] Huffman he's got a winning football program here at Verrado."

  The win by Verrado brought more firsts in the Vipers’ breakout season.

  Verrado’s 6-0 record is the first time the team has won six in a row.

  The win gives Verrado a record which ensures the team’s first-ever winning regular season record.

  The game was the Vipers’ first victory over Agua Fria.

  Verrado's contest against Desert Edge is at Desert Edge High School. Game time Friday is 7:00 p.m. on Oct. 10.

Verrado’s defense, led by captain Darby Neal (99), has held opponents to an average of 16 points per game this season. Eric Cabello (not pictured) leads the team in tackles.

Arizona Christian notches first home win over Air Force JV

Former Estrella Foothills quarterback Gerrit Groenewold led Arizona Christian University to its first home win of the season with a 42-38 victory over the Air Force Academy junior varsity squad on Saturday.

Groenewold entered the game with just under four minutes remaining in the first quarter to replace the injured Ryan Esslinger.

The win, ACU's second overall of the season, was a come from behind victory during which the Firestorm did not see a lead until 9:12 was left in the game.

Air Force put the first 10 points on the board in the first quarter with a 25-yard field goal by Ryan Jacobs and a six yard rush by Ben Washington.

Arizona Christian (2-3) had possession of the ball at the end of the first quarter and scored during the third play of the second quarter on a 21-yard Michael Costello field goal.

ACU then tied the score at 10 when Groenewold scored on a 9-yard run that culminated with a stretching leap to get the ball across the goal line.

Arizona Christian quarterback Gerrit Groenewold stretches to break the plane of the goal line on a 9 yard touchdown run during the second quarter of ACU's 42-38 victory over Air Force Junior Varsity.

Two more Air Force touchdowns and another Costello field goal made the score 24-13 at the half.

ACU received the ball to start the second half but could not get a first down, forcing a punt.

Air Force mounted and 11 play, 83 yard drive to increase their margin to 31-13.

With the benefit of a 77 yard drive for a touchdown on a Groenewold to Neiman Sneed pass, a quick turnover and a 24-yard Groenewold to Weston Diehl touchdown pass, the Firestorm found themselves right back in the game by cutting the Air Force lead to four points.

Arizona Christian's Neiman Sneed catches his second of two touchdown passes of the game.

Air Force answered quickly when Washington scored on a 61 yard run, increasing the Falcon lead to 11 points.

From that point on it was all Firestorm as another Groenewold to Sneed touchdown pass, this one for 21 yards, a two point conversion on a pass to Stephen Landeros, and a 3-yard touchdown run by Mike Brown gave ACU its first lead of the game.

Air Force had plenty of time on the clock to mount a drive, but key defensive plays thwarted Air Force drives.

A tipped Falcon pass dropped into the arms of ACU's BJ Pelt for the turnover with just over seven minutes to play.

ACU was able to run the clock during its next possession which resulted in a loss of possession on down, but on the Falcons first play of their drive the ACU defense caused a fumble and the ball flew into the hands of Justin Barnes who ran the ball back to the Air Force 34 yard line.

Arizona Christian's Justin Barnes runs ball down field after recovering a fumble by an Air Force JV ball carrier.

The Air Force defense was able to prevent ACU from getting a first down, giving them one more opportunity to mount a drive, however, the Falcons were unable to make a first down and ACU ran the clock during its last possession for the win.

Groenewold threw for 371 and three touchdowns in his relief effort. Prior to his injury, Esslinger had completed 8 of 10 passes for 54 yards and one interception.

PJ Sparks led the Firestorm in rushing with 8 attempts for 48 yards, averaging 6 yards per carry.
In the air ACU spread the ball around to 12 different receivers for a total of 425 yards. LaRon Barnes led the team in catches and total receiving yards. Sneed had four receptions for 73 yards and two touchdowns.

Defensively, outside linebacker Justin Ganado led the Firestorm with 10 tackles. Lineman Melvin Rogers tallied seven defensive stops.

Next up the ACU Firestorm face Kentucky Wesleyan College on Sept. 27 at 7:00 p.m. at Shadow Mountain High School. The Panthers come into the game with a 1-2 record. KWC's win was the program's first victory since 2012.

Arizona Christian team captain Brennan Bowen leads Arizona Christian and Air Force JV players in prayer following the Firestorm's 42-38 victory over the Falcons in a game played at Shadow Mountain High School on Saturday.

VIPERS TROUNCE FLAGSTAFF 60-14

Battle of unbeatens—Buckeye at Verrado—this Friday  

  The Verrado Viper varsity football team travelled to Flagstaff last Saturday with the opportunity to do something the team has never done before—start a season with a 3-0 record.

  

  After a thrilling come-from-behind 42-35 double overtime victory over Tolleson during week 1, and a 43-13 dismantling of Dysart in week 2 the Vipers were treading into new territory.

  

  The prospects for Verrado looked good going into the game. The Eagles were 1-1 in their first two games of the season.  They squeaked out a win over a struggling Phoenix Central team and were soundly defeated on the road by Peoria.

  Clearly, Verrado had the momentum going into the game. The Vipers also had depth in terms of the number of players on the team which seemed double the number of Flagstaff players.

  Verrado did not hesitate to open the scoring. Nathan Roehl took the opening kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown in a play that quickly set the tone for the game.

  The Vipers scored in almost every way possible during the game.

  

  Quarterback Lathon Lax scored on a quarterback sneak.

  

  Receiver Xavier James scored on a 48 yard reverse.

  

  Devin Draper recovered a punt, blocked by Dillon Ratliff, in the end zone for a touchdown.

Verrado defensive back Devin Draper celebrates after recovering a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown.

  Andy Gurnsey recovered a Flagstaff missed lateral pass and rumbled down the sideline for the score.

  

  Isaiah Harrison caught a pass down the middle of the field for a touchdown.

  

  Chris Slaughter ran untouched down the middle of the field for a touchdown.

  

  Verrado’s defense and special teams scored three safeties in the game.

  

  And Verrado’s two place-kickers, Paden Goucher and Danny Casillas kicked 42 and 43-yard field goals respectively.

Verrado's Paden Goucher kicks a 42-yard field goal from a Dillon Ratliff hold to give Verrado a 53-6 in the first quarter.

  

  When the final whistle blew the Vipers had racked up 60 points for the 60-14 win.  It is the most points the Vipers have ever scored in a varsity football game.

  

  In the first three games this season the team has scored 145 points.

  

  Verrado has proven this year they can score from anywhere, which makes this week’s upcoming contest against Buckeye even more intriguing.

  

  The Hawks, also 3-0, have put up 138 points in three games and only allowed 26 points, shutting out two of their opponents.

  

  Buckeye took no prisoners in its latest game against South and scored 67 points.

  

  Still lingering in the memories of both teams is last year’s contest at Buckeye which saw the Hawks win a see-saw battle 32-31. 

  

  First-year Hawk coach Kelley Moore has yet to experience his first Hawks vs. Vipers game.

Verrado head coach Derek Wahlstrom has prepared his team well with an off-season training regimen and tournament play that has helped form a cohesive core of players.

  

  This week’s game, played at Verrado, is a game of the week for many high school football watchers around the valley.

  

  Buckeye has dominated the series as Verrado has yet to defeat the Hawks; however, during the past three seasons, Verrado has managed to narrow the margin of victory each year—a sign of coming of age for a relatively new high school football program.

Buckeye Area Athletes Lead Arizona Christian University in Inaugural Game

Two Buckeye area athletes where among the many Arizona players suited up for Arizona Christian University as the Firestorm played its inaugural game against Evangel University (Springfield, Mo.) on Saturday at Shadow Mountain High School in Phoenix.

Verrado High School's Bryton Green and Estrella Foothills High School's Gerrit Groenewold served as two of ACU's four team captains during the game.

Arizona Christian Firestorms' four captain shake hands with Evangel University opponents following the coin toss at the inaugural game played at Shadow Mountain High School in Phoenix. Team captains for ACU are Gerrit Groenewold (4), Bryton Green (11), Mike Munsil (55) and Brennan Bowen (54).

Groenewold was given the nod as the starting quarterback by Arizona Christian Head Coach Donnie Yantis. He completed 18 of 32 passes for 170 yards. Groenewold was also the team's leading rusher. He ran the ball 18 times or a net gain of 39 yards.

Green started the game at outside linebacker and was credited with two solo tackles on the night.

Evangel won the game by a lopsided score of 40-16 after leading 23-3 at the half. The crusaders increased their lead to 27 points during their second possession of the second half.

Arizona Christian scored the next 13 points of the game to pull within two touchdowns. The first score came on a 1-yard rush to the right side by running back Mike Brown. Brown's score was set up by a 33-yard pass play from Groenewold to Gabriel Jordan. The point after touchdown attempt following Brown's touchedown failed due to a fumbled snap.

Arizona Christian stopped Evangel and forced a punt on the Crusaders' next possession, but a miscue during the return gave possession back to Evangel at midfield.

ACU head coach Donnie Yantis

Evangel was again stopped by the Arizona Christian defense and forced to punt. Another miscue appeared as if it was going to lead to disastrous consequences when the ball bounced in front of Jordan, glanced off his fingertips continued into the back of the end zone.

Jordan scooped the ball up against the end line, barely avoided an Evangel tackler and then ran, untouched, 108 yards for the touchdown for a record punt return that a sideline official said may never be broken.

At that point the score was 30-16 but Arizona Christian could not close the score as they were held scoreless the rest of the game and Evangel added 10 more points to the scoreboard.

Despite the loss, Arizona Christian was well-backed by their supporters. The announced attendance at the game was 3,561.

Unofficial Arizona United SC Yellow Card Accumulation Summary

Here is an unofficial view of Arizona United SC yellow card accumulation through Aug. 14, 2014, based on uslprosoccer.com game reports. These results may not reflect any post game reviews by the USL disciplinary board.

Joey Dillon leads the team with 6. League guidelines say another suspension occurs after 8 cards.

Paolo DelPiccolo currently has 5 yellow cards. Suspension can be served after a seven day waiting period.

Jonathan Top and London Woodberry stand at four yellows apiece.

The two yellows in one game drawn by Woodberry and Widner Saint-Cyr are treated as straight reds and do not count toward yellow accumulation.

The straight reds drawn by four players should not count toward yellow accumulation.

Player	Yellows
Dillon	6
DelPiccolo	5
Top	4
Woodberry	4
Antunez	3
Tan	3
Baladez	2
Garza	2
Kassel	2
Morrison	2
Newton	2
Robinson	2
Ruthven	2
Saint-Cyr	2
Stisser	2
Wallace	1

Source: uslprosoccer.com game reports

Per USL PRO Staff:

If a player receives two cautions in the same match it is treated the same as a straight red – the player must sit the next match. The two yellows do not count toward accumulation at that point, so the player picks up where he was before the red.   USL PRO’s accumulation suspensions occur at 5, 8, 11, and so on.

Arizona United Still in Quest for Coveted Playoff Slot

The road to a possible USL PRO Soccer playoff berth keeps getting tougher for Arizona United Soccer Club after the team lost its latest game against Sacramento Republic FC by a score of 2-1.

  

Arizona entered the game needing a victory and help from other teams in the league to gain ground in the quest to capture one of eight playoff spots available in the 14-team league.

  

Prior the the game the team had 21 league points.

An Arizona United victory and losses by Orange County and Charlotte would have put Arizona in a three way tie for 10th place and within two points of a coveted playoff spot.

  

Orange County and Charlotte did their part by losing their respective games, but the loss by Arizona and a victory by Pittsburgh pushed Arizona United further down the league table into 13th place.

  

Arizona’s record now stands at 6 wins, 11 losses and 5 draws.

  

To add insult to injury, the team is also feeling the impact of serving a 2-point penalty for inadvertently playing an ineligible player who should have been benched due to yellow card accumulation.

In Saturday’s game, Sacramento seemed to control the ball and tempo throughout the first half. Arizona United Head Coach Michael Dellorusso, however, felt that his team held its own against the fourth-place Republic.

  

“I don’t the intensity was lacking at all,” Dellorusso said. “We knew they would come out fast. They’re a team that like to press and and likes to play quick.

  

“I think our guys did a fantastic job in the first half—staying compact; staying organized.

  

“In the second half the boys did everything I asked of them. What it came down to was them making plays and us not.”

  

The game was scoreless until the 53rd minute when Sacramento’s Jeffrey Koval scored. 

A mental mistake by defender Tyler Ruthven turned the ball over to Sacramento just in front of the goal. 

After a few passes, Sacramento’s Thomas Stewart fed the ball to Jeffrey Koval who slotted the ball into the net to give Sacramento a 1-0 lead.

Arizona United’s Tyler Ruthven (2) walks away dejected after a turnover led to a Sacramento Republic goal.

Arizona was able to even the score just 11 minutes later after substitute forward Jonathan Top took a Jon Okafor centering pass and blasted the ball past Sacramento goal keeper Jacob Gleeson.

Arizona United's Jonathan Top scored a goal in the second half to even the score at 1-1.

“I was able to get in a good spot and thankfully found the back of the net today,” Top said.

  

Unfortunately for Arizona the lead would only last 14 minutes as Sacramento’s Justin Braun scored during the game’s 78th minute. Braun took possession of the ball near midfield after a pass was intercepted by midfielder Dakota Collins. Braun dribbled masterfully around two Arizona opponents and then chipped the ball over onrushing Arizona goal keeper Evan Newton for the score.

Arizona United’s Evan Newton (in green) can only watch a ball chipped past by Sacramento’s Justin Braun sails toward the net to score the winning goal in Arizona United’s 2-1 loss to the Republic.

Asked what he tells his players now, knowing that the opportunities to work into a playoff spot are dwinding, Dellorusso simply said “It’s all or nothing”.

Other Notes:

Bryan Gallego, who was on loan to Arizona United by Major League Soccer’s Portland Timbers is currently training with the U.S. Men’s National Teams U-23 team. The team is in the Bahamas for a five day training session that included a game against the Bahamas on Wednesday. The U.S. team won that game by a score of 5-1.

Benji Lopez was called up to the USMNT U-20 team earlier this year and participated in an international tournament held at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., in July.

USL PRO Soccer CEO Alec Papadakis was in Peoria for last week’s Arizona United vs. Sacramento Republic game.

  

Papadakis met with the media prior to the game and praised Arizona United Owner Kyle Eng’s leadership and energy and said he expects Eng to be a leader in the USL PRO community.

  

Papadakis also revealed he was in the state to speak with leaders from FC Tucson, a team in the Premier Development League. He said Tucson and other cities in the Southwest are on the USL PRO radar for future expansion.

  

Papadakis said there may be as many as 22 teams in the USL PRO league next year, due mainly to the fact that many MSL teams will be fielding USL PRO affiliates in place of reserve teams in the coming season. Papadakis said the addition of a Tucson team would make a great rivalry for Arizona Soccer fans.