Verrado's Orozco debuts for Arizona State soccer

Sun Devils are currently ranked 22nd in Nation

  Verrado graduate and Arizona State freshman Adriana Orozco made her first regular season appearance wearing the maroon and gold in ASU women’s soccer’s first game of the season against Portland State on Friday.

  Arizona State won by a score of 3-0. The game was played in front of 766 fans at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium.

Adriana Orozco

  Orozco made her appearance during the game’s 62nd minute when she came as a substitute for Tommi Goodman. She was active from the start playing in the midfield position and worked to drift into space near the top of the 18-yard box.

  Orozco had one shot on goal during the game. It came in the game’s 78th minute as she fired a shot goal ward from near the penalty spot. Portland State goalkeeper Angela Haluska made the save.

  Arizona State’s goals all came before Orozco made her way to the field.

Cali Farquharson started the scoring during the games 6th minute, Larisa Staub quickly followed with a  goal during the 17th minute and Aly Moon scored six minutes into the second half.

  Orozco also appeared in two exhibition games for the Sun Devils. She played in a pre-season game against Northern Arizona University in Prescott Valley last week. She also played in ASU’s exhibition game against Beijing Normal University played in Tempe on Sunday. She registered 38 minutes of playing time in that game which ended in a scoreless draw.

  Following the Portland State game Orozco spent time discussing her experience with Arizona State soccer and playing in her first regular season game.

  “It feels amazing,” Orozco said. “I’ve been so excited ever since I committed to be here my Junior year.”

  Orozco's eventual appearance on the pitch for Arizona State was not without its challenges.  She was sidelined for a good part of her Verrado soccer playing career by injuries to both anterior cruciate ligaments.

  A part of the Verrado state championship team in 2013, Orozco had to watch much of the season and the title game from the bench.

  “I had two knee surgeries. I tore both my ACLs so I’ve always been so concerned about that, “ Orozco said. “I’ve learned to put it away and come back.”

  Regarding her first appearance Orozco said she “was super nervous when I came in. As soon as I got a little bit of my jitters out I was fine.  I felt really happy.”

  Orozco’s first attempt to score came on a header redirected toward goal from distance. The trajectory was a little high and the ball fell harmlessly to the Vikings’ Haluska and she was not credited as shot.

  Orozco’s second attempt came after she skillfully dribbled through two Portland State defenders and took a shot from about 15 yards.  The attempt posed little threat to the Vikings’ Haluska.

Adriana Orozco (6) dribbles through two Portland State defenders en route to her first shot on goal as a Sun Devil.

  “I probably could have shot the second a little wider,” Orozco said. “I felt great about it either way just to get something on frame.”

  Orozco is looking forward to the rest of the season and her career as ASU now that the first-game jitters are gone. 

  “I love them so much,” Orozco said of her teammates after the game.  “I think there’s a lot of great things building up for us.

  “The team is great. We all support each other and give 110% all the time at practice and our games.

  “I have no doubt we’re going to have a good season.”

  Arizona State women’s soccer is ranked number 22 nationally following the first week of the season.

  The Sun Devils play their next five games at home.  See TheSunDevils.com for more information.

Adriana Orozco and her Arizona State teammates acknowledge the Sun Devils' soccer supporters following the game.

Verrado's Blake Perkins Drafted by Baseball's Washington Nationals

Blake Perkins

  Verrado High School graduate and baseball standout Blake Perkins made school history today as he was selected by Washington Nationals as a 2nd Round draft pick in the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft.

  Perkins' selection was the 69th draft pick overall.

  The announcement was made by the Washington Nationals' Johnny DiPuglia and telecast live on the Major League Baseball Network and MLB.com.

Blake Perkins

  Perkins played three years for the Vipers and proved himself as a good all-around player.

  During his high school career Perkins hit .470 with 119 hits, 97 RBIs and 21 home runs.

  Perkins is also a formidable defensive player with quick reaction time and ability to track down balls hit anywhere in his vicinity.

  Perkins' speed is also an asset on the base paths. He had 42 stolen bases during his three-year span with the Vipers and scored an inside-the-park home run during Verrado's 14-0 win over Glendale on April 28.

  Perkins committed to play with Arizona State University in November, 2014.

Arizona United wins inaugural match of 2015 USL Season

What a difference a year makes.

Arizona United Soccer Club, after having mere weeks to pull a team together prior to its 2014 campaign, suffered a lopsided but not unexpected 4-0 loss to OKC Energy FC in its first ever game as a franchise last season.

Fast forward to 2015 and the impact of having a proper off-season and pre-season were apparent following the Arizona United's 2-1 victory over the Orange County Blues in a game played at Anteater Stadium in Irvine, Calif., on Saturday.

The core of early off-season signings, coupled with more recent additions to the roster staved off early possession domination and late-game barrages by Orange County to preserve the team's win.

Arizona United struck first during the game's 19th minute when Dennis Chin received a patient and unselfish pass from Long Tan and fired a shot from 25 yards out that looped its way over Blues goal keeper Billy Thompson to the far post for the 1-0 lead.

Just minutes later Arizona United scored on a set-piece as Victor Munoz arced a free kick over the OC Blues back line to find Robbie Derschang breaking toward goal. Derschang snapped the ball back across the grain with his head, beating Thompson on the play to give United a 2-0 lead midway through the first half.

Arizona United's Robbie Derschang (right) snaps a header toward goal for his team's second goal during a 2-1 victory against the Orange County Blues.

Overall, Arizona United Head Coach Michael Dellorusso was pleased with his team's effort in it's first contest of the season.

"It was decent. It's a work in process," Dellorusso said following the game. "You can see the talent is there.  It's just getting them in game situations like this."

Dellorusso also acknowledged that early game jitters may have needed to be calmed before United settled in to game flow.

"We know both teams were going to be anxious," Dellorusso added. "A lot of tactics and technical ability go out the window in the first 10 to 15 minutes.

"It's not going to be perfect in game one. It was good to see [the players] link together. They're getting much more comfortable with each other. It's a step in the right direction for sure."

Arizona United goal keeper Carl Woszczynski made a strong case for man of the match with key saves during the games last 20 minutes. Woszczynski batted two goal-bound headers out of danger and cleared a dangerous ball in congestion to keep the Blues from doing any further damage.

Arizona United goal keeper Carl Woszczynski stretches to make a save late in the game to preserve a 2-1 lead over the Orange County Blues.

Woszczynski was also quick to praise the defenders that played in front of him to minimize the scoring opportunities for Orange County.

"Whenever you go up on a team on the road you know the second half is going to have a lot of...balls dumped in especially at the end," Woszczynski said.  "I thought my defense did very well in front of me. Besides two or three saves I didn't have a lot of saves to make. They won a ton of those balls in air."

Arizona United SC wraps up pre-season with 4-1 win over Phoenix College

Verrado grad Sergio Rizo among Bears who played against pros

  Arizona United Soccer Club finished pre-season play with a 3-1 record following the team’s 4-1 victory over Phoenix College’s men’s team at Hoy Stadium in Phoenix on March 21.

  Four different players scored for Arizona United—Long Tan, Brock Granger, Dennis Chin and George Malki.

  The outcome of the game between a pro side and a community college team was not unexpected; however, the game also served as an opportunity to celebrate the life of one of Arizona United and Phoenix College’s biggest supporters—Nobe Yonekura—who passed way this past January. 

  Yonekura was raised in Japan and New York and served as a judge in Gila County as was also an accomplished musician.  A fund-raiser during the game supported the Nobe Yonekura Foundation which will provide scholarships to percussion students at Phoenix College.

  Arizona United Head Coach Michael Dellorusso, who did not have the benefit of an off-season or regular pre-season last year, is now looking forward to getting the regular season started.

  “It’s too long,” Dellorusso jokingly said about the pre-season following the game. “Now the guys are just anxious. We did everything we wanted to as far as getting them physically ready and mentally ready.

  “Now we’re looking forward to the important stuff.”

  Two players on the Phoenix College squad had Buckeye ties.

  Midfielder’s Sergio Rizo and Dean Brune both played for Phoenix College during the 2014 season. Both players led Verrado’s boy’s team to its only state championship game appearance in 2011.

Former Verrado High School soccer standout and Phoenix College midfielder Sergio Rizo (15) jostles for possession against Arizona United’s Scott Morrison during the first half of a pre-season game played at Phoenix College on March 21. Arizona United won the game 4-1.

  Rizo played approximately 45 minutes during the game against United while Brune did not make an appearance.

  Rizo said he felt honored to be playing against a pro side in an pre-season game.

  “It was a great feeling playing these guys,” Rizo said following the game. “Just knowing the level at which soccer can be played and how hard soccer can get...It’s one of the best feelings ever.”

  Rizo, who just signed to finish his college career at Colorado State University-Pueblo, also said playing against players with USL and MLS experience “puts me on the spot knowing how much better I need to get.”

  Rizo added playing after college is not out of the question for him, citing familiarity with MLS and USL clubs in the West and knowing that USL teams generally host open tryouts.

  “I want to at least get my Bachelor’s degree so I can have something to fall back on,” Rizo said. It would be awesome to play here in Arizona for a team like Arizona United.”  

NASCAR Weekend at Phoenix International Raceway, March 2015

 Here is a collection of photos from BVN Sports' coverage of NASCAR weekend at Phoenix International Raceway, March 13-15, 2015.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team spotters line the railing atop the suites over the Bobby Allison Grandstand prior to the start of qualifying at Phoenix International Raceway on Friday, March 13, 2015.

NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Austin Dillon waits in the garage as crew members change front shock in his car during practice on March 13, 2015.

Enrique Contreras III circles the track during NASCAR Xfinity Series practice at Phoenix International Raceway on Friday, March 13, 2015.

Danica Patrick walks to her car prior to the start of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
qualifying at Phoenix International Raceway on Friday, March 13, 2015.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kurt Busch acknowledges well-wishers prior

to the start of qualifying on Friday, March 15, 2015.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson (right) confers with crew chief Chad Knaus prior to qualifying at Phoenix Internation Racdway on Friday, March 13, 2015.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick prepares to qualify for the Camping World 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on Friday, March 13, 2015.

NASCAR Xfinity Series Driver Joey Logano cruises around the track during the Axalta Faster Tougher Brighter 200 held at Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday, March 14. 2015.

NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Joey Logano's pit crew services his care during a pit stop during the Axalta Faster Tougher Brighter 200 held at Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday, March 14. 2015.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jeff Gordon acknowledges fans prior to the start of the Camping World 500 held at Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday, March 15, 2015. Gordon has announced 2015 will be his last full-time season in the series.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is helped from his burning car following an incident during Lap 180 of the Camping World 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday, March 15. 2015.

Kevin Harvick won the Camping World 500 from the pole position at Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday, March 15, 2015.

Off-season ends for Arizona United SC as training sessions begin.

Arizona United SC head coach Michael Dellorusso oversees the team's first day of 

training.

The long-awaited first day of training for the 2015 United Soccer League season has finally arrived for Arizona United Soccer Club.

The team gathered at Hoy Stadium on the campus of Phoenix College Monday afternoon to work on skills and fitness in front of a group of faithful supporters.

The beginning of training marks the end of the first proper off-season for Arizona United. At this time in 2014 the organization still had not been formed as USL was still struggling with the now defunct Phoenix FC Wolves.

Arizona United owner Kyle Eng strolled across the field surveying a group of more than 30 players - many of them unsigned players hoping to earn a contract with the team.

The off-season has been busy for Eng the Arizona United management team with the announced move to Scottsdale Stadium, the signing of several new and returning players, season ticket sales that have at least quadrupled over last season and the long-awaited announcement of affiliation with FC Dallas for the 2015 season.

Eng admitted the stadium move was a difficult decision to make.

"It was a tough decision for me personally because I'm a Peoria guy, a northwest side guy," Eng said.

"But if you look at what our goal is, it should be to do the best thing for soccer and make it available to more and more fans."

Scottsdale was not the only location considered by Arizona United according to Eng. The team also talked to officials in Mesa who were interested in hosting a team. In the end there was some resistance to altering the Mesa baseball field for soccer.

"Scottsdale has been unbelievable in their support," Eng said. "All they want to do is help."

Long Tan (left) works out during Arizona United SC's first 

training session held at Hoy Stadium at Phoenix College.

Eng went on to say the team is working on forming official partnerships with Scottsdale businesses which could host pre-game and post-game activities on game days.

Key player transactions during the off-season were made to bring what Eng called "winning DNA" to the team.

"Our first goal was to sign Long Tan,"  Eng said. "and [Rob] Valentino made so much sense for Phoenix."

Eng also mentioned the addition of goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski from the Orlando City team as a proven winner.

Carl Woszczynski

Woszczynski said after the workout that he's ready for the coming season.

"Everyone's been looking forward to it for the last four or five months," Woszczynski said. "The organization has done a great job putting a great group of players together. We're just ready to get back out here."

Though new to the team, Woszczynski has the benefit of working with goalkeeper Jacole Turner who is returning to the team this season.

"We'll definitely learn from each other as well as [goalkeeper coach Cory Robertson]," Woszczynski said. "Jacole knows how training here works. He's more comfortable with Cory but did a great job talking with me.

"I'm a bit older than Jacole and I have more games so I can share that experience with him. I think we can teach each other a lot this year."

Jacole Turner

The team will continue to train locally for the remainder of the week and head to Frisco, Tex., on Saturday to train at the FC Dallas training ground.

Arizona United Head Coach Michael Dellorusso is looking forward to taking the team to Dallas.

"I think it's great for our two organizations," Dellorusso said following the training session. "Their coaches will be able to see our guys and really assess and be able to know who's here. When they send their guys here they know who they're playing with.

"For us to be able to play them is a great experience for our guys."

Dellorusso has and will continue to work collaboratively with FC Dallas head coach Oscar Pareja.

"We're going do everything in our power to help his players grow," Dellorusso said. "He's going to do everything in his power to help us win a championship."

Arizona United hosts second round of open tryouts for 2015 season.

Arizona United SC held it's second round of open tryouts for the 2015 USL season on Saturday.

More than 100 hopefuls gathered at Tempe Sports Complex with dreams of winning the opportunity to join Arizona United's roster players when camp begins on Monday, Feb. 16.

Players spread out across three fields at the Tempe complex and formed teams led by Arizona United coaching staff. Arizona United Head Coach Michael Dellorusso circulated around the fields observing, taking notes and conferring with his coaching staff through the sessions.

Arizona United SC Head Coach Michael Dellorusso (right) and Assistant Coach Austin Daniels confer during open tryouts for the 2015 USL season.

Saturday's tryout consisted of a higher percentage of soccer-ready players with higher fitness and skill levels than those possessed by players who tried out for the team in November. Arizona United General Manager Kevin Stevenson was pleased with what he saw as he observed the tryouts.

"The level's good," Stevenson said following the morning tryout session. "You can see we've got some talented players out here."

Any tryout players invited to camp, Stevenson said, will contribute to what he feels is a strong core of players that has signed with the team thus far. Thirteen players have been confirmed along with two signees for which the team is expecting league and USSF approval. Additionally, the club has extended invitations to eight players to join the club during camp.

Humberto Soriano

Tryout hopeful Humberto Soriano was a familiar face to those who've followed USL in the Valley since the former Phoenix FC Wolves were in place. Soriano, who was on the roster during the 2013 USL season, was a goalkeeper on a team that saw a revolving door of sorts in the net-minding position.

Soriano said he's spent the past year preparing for an opportunity with a team like Arizona United.

"I've been training on my own; staying fit and trying to see if I can pick up a contract," Soriano said between tryout sessions. " I came out to do my work. It's up to the coaches to decide whether they want to bring me on the squad or not."

In addition to trying out for Arizona United, Soriano said he's also gotten a look from FC Tucson and is invited to their camp.

An opportunity to keep playing is the goal of Soriano and most players trying out for the team.

"As a soccer player we like to get to a higher level," Soriano said. "It's a step in the door."

Verrado girls soccer falls to Campo Verde

Game ends after penalty kicks following 100 minutes of scoreless play

Verrado's Shea Smith lunges toward a penalty kick taken by a Campo Verdo opponent during a penalty kick tie-breaker. Smith made the save on the play.

  

For the second time in three seasons the Verrado girls soccer team fell to the Campo Verde Coyotes in the Division II semifinal game.

  

  The Vipers latest loss to Campo Verde came in a playoff game played at Williams Field High School on Wednesday evening.

  

  The loss ended the Vipers’ bid to repeat as Div. II State Champions.

  

  Campo Verde defeated the Vipers 3-1 on penalty kicks after playing 80 minutes of regulation and two ten minute overtime periods without a goal by either team.
  

  Verrado Head Coach David Hopkinson felt he had the better team.

  “I told the girls after the first half that we had the better team,” Hopkinson said after the game.  “They’re a good team. I thought we were fairly evenly matched. I do think we created more chances”

  

  Verrado outshot Campo Verde but several acrobatics saves by Coyote goal keeper Amanda Canzona kept the Vipers off the scoreboard.

  “[Campo Verde’s] keeper made one of the best saves I’ve ever seen,” Hopkinson said. “Not just for a high school keeper, but any keeper.”

  

  Verrado goalkeeper Shea Smith also had her share of saves by deflecting balls and stopping balls headed toward the goal.

Hallie Shippy

  

  Verrado’s only score during the penalty kicks came off the foot of freshman Hallie Shippy during penalty kicks. Shippy’s shot was initially deflected by Canzano but ricocheted off the crossbar and then off Canzano’s back and rolled into the net. 

  

  Verrado’s keeper Shea Smith faced five Campo Verde penalty kicks and anticipated correctly on most. Two goals were just out of her reach and one was kicked behind her. Shea made one save and another shot hit the post.

  

  “I told the girls we’re a save or two away from winning that game,” Hopkinson said. “Our defense played too good.  Shea’s unbelievable in goal. To play three games and not give up a goal [in open play] is pretty impressive”

  Verrado’s attacks came in waves with some waves challenging Campo Verde multiple times.

  

  “We just couldn’t sustain it for more than a few minutes at a time,” Hopkinson said. “That’s probably on me.”

  Hopkinson added the high level of individual talent led to spurts of activity but the team game had room for improvement.

  “Maybe our issue throughout the season has been we’re so athletic,” Hopkinson said. “We’re so good individually. I don’t know if I did the best job this year to put together a real team game.”

  Hopkinson also acknowledged the success of this year’s senior soccer players. The seniors who played four years went to four state semi finals and won a state championship.

  

  “This might be the last competitive high school soccer game they play,” Hopkinson said. “I told them you can’t feel this bad if you don’t make it this far.

    

  “It still a phenomenal accomplishment. We just came up a little short.”

Verrado's Jessica Farmer pushes the ball toward goal during the first half of Wednesday's girls Div. II Semi-final game.

AIA offers revision to initial high school team sports placement

The Arizona Interscholastic Association has released a revision to its proposed high school team sport division placement for the 2015-2018.

  The revision came after much public outcry by coaches, schools and media about what appeared to be obvious errors in the proposed placement.

  The formula used to determine placements was a combination of each school's enrollment, percentage of free/reduced price lunches and MaxPreps' record and ranking history.

  Though most of the immediate attention focused on football, placement in other sports also caused observers to scratch their heads.

  For schools in The Buckeye Valley News circultion area the original placements saw Buckeye's football team moved from Division III to Divison IV. This was despite four straight years of winning records and going to the playoffs three of the past four years.

  Another curious placement was the Youngker's boy's soccer team which was initially proposed for Division I despite never attaining a winning record.

  Just days after releasing the initial proposal the AIA issued a statement that its two "highly competent" consultants had used a wrong field in the formula to calculate the placements and that work had begun to "run the formula using the correct data points and update the initial division placements." The AIA added that new proposed placements would be out by Jan. 26.

  The proposed placements released on Monday did seem to correct errors caused by the incorrect formula. However, the percentage of school/sport combinations in the BVN circulation area affected by the proposed placements remained the same - nearly 74% of sports are slated to move up or down under the proposal.

The table above relfects the REVISED proposed 2015-18 placement issued by the Arizona Interscholastic Association on Jan. 26. The shaded areas in the revised table represent those sports which are proposed to move up or down a  division during  the  2015-18 school years.

  Six teams are recommended for Division I play including Buckeye tennis and Verrado boy's and girl's soccer, boy's and girl's tennis and baseball. Conversely, Buckeye is seeing six sports recommended for a move down to Div. IV. Those sports are boy's basketball, boy's and girl's soccer, baseball, softball and volleyball.

Estrella Foothills saw several teams move up to Div. II.

  Schools have until Feb. 2 to file an appeal for sports they feel may be out of place.

  Verrado soccer Head Coach Ted Campbell suggested he will appeal the Div. I placement for his team while girl's soccer Head Coach David Hopkinson said he'd like to discuss the issue further with the school administration.

  Verrado Athletic Director Nick Browder said he had scheduled a meeting with his coaches Wednesday to discuss placements and determine appeals could be made.

  Following the appeals deadline the AIA will hold a series of appeals hearings during early February with a final division placement made public to AIA membership on Feb. 18.

2015 TicketCity Cactus Bowl Pre-Game

Players are starting their warm-ups and fans are filing into Sun Devil Stadium on the campus of Arizona State University for the 2015 TicketCity Cactus Bowl.  The game pits the Washington Huskies vs. the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

The Washington Marching Band plays the school fight song at the request of Washington players who were beginning their pre-game warm-ups at Sun Devil Stadium.

Oklahoma State Quarterback Mason Rudolph gets some practice throws in during pre-game warm-ups for the 2015 TicketCity Cactus Bowl. Rudolph is expected to get the start for the game.

Washington Tight End Darrell Daniels works on sideline catches during pre-game of the 2015 TicketCity Cactus Bowl.