January showdowns coming for MHS boys soccer

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After winning three of its first four regular-season games prior to the holiday break, the Maricopa High School boys soccer team is looking forward to playing a rugged schedule in January.

The Rams have eight matches slated for the first month of 2011, beginning with a Jan. 4 home game against defending Class 4A-II state champion Phoenix Cortez. Also on the schedule are home matches against defending state semifinalist Scottsdale Coronado (Jan. 12) and 4A-II contender Scottsdale Notre Dame (Jan. 14).

“Our biggest goal is to be successful against the top teams,” Maricopa coach Cortney Kellenaers said. “We want to do well against those teams, which will do a lot for us in the power points.”

Thus far, the Rams (3-1) are ranked fourth in the AIA power rankings for Class 4A-II, trailing only Buckeye Verrado, Cortez and Bullhead City Mohave. The top 16 teams in the conference will qualify for the 4A-II state tournament.

“We are definitely making progress,” Kellenaers said. “We want to continue to improve as the season progresses.”

After starting the season with a 3-1 loss to Flagstaff on Nov. 30, the Rams posted a 2-1 victory over Queen Creek on Dec. 1, a 1-0 win over El Mirage Dysart on Dec. 7 and a 12-0 shutout over Florence Poston Butte on Dec. 9.

Additionally, the Rams played in the Fountain Hills Winter Invitational on Dec. 17-18, defeating Sedona Red Rock, Scottsdale Christian and Chandler Valley Christian before losing 1-0 to Phoenix Northwest Christian in the championship match.

While the games in the Fountain Hills Winter Invitational do not count in the AIA power rankings, Kellenaers said the tournament provided his team with valuable experience during a nearly four-week break in the regular-season schedule.

“It gave us an opportunity to try some game-time strategies,” the Maricopa coach said.
The Rams have been led by seniors Armando Cano, Erik Saucedo, Ronnie Vickrey and Francisco Flores.

Saucedo and Vickrey have anchored the defense, while Cano has excelled as the goalkeeper.
Flores, meanwhile, has filled a variety of roles.

“Francisco Flores is one of my biggest standouts,” Kellenaers said. “I have been moving him all over the field to close up any gaps and any weaknesses we have on the team. He has been my all-around, do-whatever-I-need player.”

Kellenaers said the Maricopa offense has shown potential to become a proficient unit.
“My entire team is really offensive-minded,” Kellenaers said. “They love to go to the goal. We need to work on creating scoring opportunities. We have been doing well in maintaining possession and moving the ball.”

The Rams’ upcoming showdown against Cortez is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Jan. 4 at the MHS stadium.

Maricopa will play at Phoenix Arcadia on Jan. 7 and at Gilbert Williams Field on Jan. 11 before returning home for games against Coronado on Jan. 12, Notre Dame on Jan. 14 and Chandler Seton Catholic on Jan. 18.

The Rams’ regular season concludes with road games at Tempe on Jan. 21 and Gilbert Higley on Jan. 25.