All eyes within the 1A-3A conference have turned to the Sedona Red Rock High girls soccer team who, after an impressive 3-1 overtime victory over Northwest Christian Academy on Monday, Dec. 15, claimed the top spot in the state rankings which came out this week.
“I think the girls are starting to prove how good we can be,” Sedona head coach Tom Cadigan said.
In an earlier article in the Nov. 26 edition of the Sedona Red Rock News, it was said the girls would be OK this season, finishing around .500 but might have a disappointing year due to a much tougher schedule playing in the winter.
By Brian Bergner Jr.
Larson Newspapers
All eyes within the 1A-3A conference have turned to the Sedona Red Rock High girls soccer team who, after an impressive 3-1 overtime victory over Northwest Christian Academy on Monday, Dec. 15, claimed the top spot in the state rankings which came out this week.
“I think the girls are starting to prove how good we can be,” Sedona head coach Tom Cadigan said.
In an earlier article in the Nov. 26 edition of the Sedona Red Rock News, it was said the girls would be OK this season, finishing around .500 but might have a disappointing year due to a much tougher schedule playing in the winter.
Well, it never hurts to admit when you’re wrong and although the season is long from being over, Sedona has gotten off to a fast start.
The Scorpions have certainly taken hold of their own destiny and after the big Northwest Christian victory on Monday, Sedona is currently 5-1 [2-1, 1A-3A West] overall this season and is No. 1 in the state according to the Arizona Interscholastic Association power rankings.
Sedona has a 34.6 power point rating while Safford High is second with a 33, Tempe Preparatory is third with a 31.7, Fountain Hills High is fourth with a 31.5 and Pusch Ridge Christian Academy wraps up the top five with a 29.4.
In the first half against North-west Christian, senior forward Danielle Holman found the back of the net only 10 minutes into the game to put her Scorpions up 1-0.
The rest of the game would be a battle for Sedona to try and push across their next goal with the Crusaders playing very tight defense.
Sedona’s defense was just as good, and with senior goalkeeper Jessica Garnello out due to a head injury, freshman Jonica Wildes answered the bell between the posts.
Wildes did give up a Northwest Christian goal at the 25-minute mark to tie it at 1-1 but she was solid the rest of the way in the first half.
Cadigan decided to put sophomore Emma Kukulski in the goal for the second half, changing the look and hopefully putting Northwest Christian in a bind.
The move worked as Kukulski shut out the Crusaders in the second half as regulation came to an end with the score still tied at 1-1.
In the first 10-minute overtime period, Sedona senior midfielder Lili Middleton found her way through the Crusader defense and put a ball right past the goalkeeper for Northwest Christian to give her team a 2-1 lead.
Excited as can be, Sedona found a new energy source and suddenly picked up their defensive play to make sure the score stayed the same.
The second 10-minute overtime period would bring another score for Sedona, as sophomore forward Alex Seresun found the back of the net to give her team a commanding 3-1 lead with just minutes to go.
“It was good to see everyone contributing in our win over Northwest Christian, what a performance,” Cadigan said.
Wildes was back in as goalkeeper for Sedona during the two overtime periods and she was a solid as ever, saving three shots from entering the Scorpions’ goal.
In the end, Sedona went on to celebrate another victory, 3-1.
Wildes had seven saves on the day while Kukulski had five in the winning effort by Sedona.
Sedona had 12 shots on goal during the game, three of which found the net.
With a No. 1 ranking and only one loss on the season, Sedona will now have to wait almost three weeks before they play again. On Thursday, Jan. 8, they play host to 1A-3A state runner-up Fountain Hills High.
Game time is set for 4 p.m.
Brian Bergner Jr. can be reached at 282-7795, ext. 131, or e-mail bbergner@larsonnewspapers.com
