In first-year Head Coach Cindy Hauserman’s debut, the boys soccer team at Sedona Red Rock High School gave her a gift, handing North Pointe Preparatory a loss Monday, Nov. 29, 5-2.

The season-opening victory for the Scorpions gives Hauserman her first win, and gets Sedona off to a good start in 1A-3A North region play. Sedona finished third overall last year in the region at 6-3.

“The first half was absolutely beautiful with crisp, clean passing and effective penetration by our offense which led to several goals,” Hauserman said.

In the 20th minute, sophomore Ryan Ramirez was awarded a corner kick which found its way in between the fast feet of senior midfielder Bryan Farias, who promptly placed the volley into the back of the net.
The score gave Sedona a 1-0 lead and all the momentum going forward into the rest of the match.

Shortly after Farias’ goal, speedy forward Miguel Marcelino scored after beating the back line of North Pointe’s defense with a little help from senior teammate Tyler Hollmann.

“It was a gorgeous chip from Tyler [Hollmann] which helped set up the goal,” Hauserman said.

Farias scored again in the 34th minute to make it 3-0 Sedona, giving the Scorpions a lead they wouldn’t give up.

Hollmann scored his first goal of the season with just seconds to go until halftime on another solid pass from senior Ryan Lillie, making it 4-0 Sedona.

“We scored a few goals but our goalkeeper, Kyle DeTar, had a great first half as well, recording three saves and not allowing North Pointe to score,” Hauserman said.

In the second half, junior fullback Alex Searle was red-carded, leaving the Scorpions to play with only 10 men the rest of the way.

Sedona did what it could, but new sophomore goalkeeper Alberto Sotelo allowed two goals, making it 4-2 and causing a little nervousness on the Scorpions’ sideline.

However, with only 10 men on the field, Sedona was able to put together a few more possessions with Marcelino scoring his second goal of the match to make it 5-2.

“Even though we had only 10 kids on the field we were still able to put together a few more attacking plays, which got Marcelino open to score,” Hauserman said.

In the end, the 5-2 victory improves Sedona to 1-0 overall on the season.

The Scorpions were in action again Thursday, Dec. 2, as they welcomed Phoenix Christian High School. Results were unavailable at press time.

Next up, Sedona will travel south to Phoenix to play South Pointe High School on Monday, Dec. 6. Scheduled start time is set for 4 p.m.

The next home match for Sedona is Wednesday, Dec. 8, when the Scorpions welcome Bourgade Catholic High School with a 4 p.m. start time.