When Sedona Red Rock High School’s boys soccer team gathered at halftime of their game against Desert Christian on Saturday, Sept. 19, they were mixed with both confidence and frustration. They had dominated the first half but it didn’t show on the scoreboard, as the two teams were tied 0-0. Then the second half started.
The Scorpions scored three goals in the first 10 minutes and added two more afterward as Sedona cruised to a 5-2 victory.
“I think the team played really well,” junior Kevin Castaneda said. “A lot of moving around and passing. We really opened up the space and when we did we found the goals that we needed. We were just motivated, more goal hungry. We just wanted it more in the second half. We really felt like we needed goals. In the second half we got the goals.”
Castaneda was the Scorpion who finally broke through, scoring less than one minute into the second half. After that it was freshman Luis Beltran who went to work, scoring two goals in roughly a minute to open up the lead to 3-0. Goals from sophomores Max Metzger and Chuy Benitez gave the Scorpions a 5-0 lead. Sedona couldn’t close the shutout. The Eagles got on the board roughly 30 seconds after Benitez’s goal closed the SRRHS scoring out and added another in the game’s final two minutes. Fortunately for the Scorpions, those goals were little more than cosmetic and came well after the outcome was no longer in doubt.
The offensive output from SRRHS showed what a difference a year can make. A season ago, Sedona’s soccer team was shut out eight times and only reached three goals in a game once. In fact, the five goals the Scorpions scored against Desert Christian combined with their offensive output in the 6-4 loss to Payson in the season opener puts them just two goals short of the 11 they scored throughout the entirety of last season.
Coach Sam Blom attributes the early success to having a deeper roster. That depth was spotlighted in the win over the Eagles, as the Scorpions won despite two of their top players being absent — sophomore Korbin Burke and senior Jaiah Grondin.
“We have a really good bench, a good bench of young players,” Blom said. “So when I substitute someone, it’s a quality player coming in. It isn’t someone that I need to worry about.”
Blom was happy with not only the victory but how it came about.
The coach was pleased the team made the necessary adjustments after a frustrating first 40 minutes. Blom feels quick turn arounds will suit the Scorpions well as they try to manage the remainder of a strong schedule.
“We’re missing two kids today; that we were able to step up and still get a victory — I’m grateful for that,” he said. “Sometimes we shot too early instead of being a little bit more patient. We made some adjustments at halftime and the kids understood. That’s going to help us going forward. Because we’re going to play tougher teams.”
The win over Desert Christian evened the Scorpions’ record at 1-1. Things got even better in their next game on Wednesday, Sept. 23 when they routed North Valley Christian 12-0 in a game that was called at halftime.
Sedona will next be in action on Friday, Sept. 25 for a 4 p.m. against Rancho Solano Prep. After a long run of road games, the Scorpions are scheduled to play at home next on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at p.m. against reigning state runner-up, Chino Valley.
