Phoenix Cortez edges Rams in boys soccer

The Maricopa High School boys soccer team battled toe-to-toe on Tuesday with powerhouse Phoenix Cortez before falling 3-2 to the defending Class 4A-II state champion Colts.

“It was an extremely close game,” Maricopa coach Cortney Kellenaers said. “I’m disappointed that we lost, but pleased with the work ethic and the way the boys stepped up. This is one of the two toughest games we are going to have (along with an upcoming match-up against Scottsdale Notre Dame), so it was really important that we put up a good fight. We did that.”

After Cortez took a 2-0 lead, the Rams rallied to tie the score at 2-2 on goals by Tony Archuleta and Jose Alvarado. Cortez then tallied the winning goal with about 10 minutes remaining.

“Armando Cano (Maricopa’s senior goalkeeper) made some big saves which were vital to keep us in the game,” Kellenaers said. “As a team, everybody really played at their best. I didn’t really have to make a lot of substitutions because there was little need for change. Everybody that was in there did what they were expected to do. I’m proud of their effort and the way they stepped up.”

The Rams now are ranked seventh in the AIA power rankings for Class 4A-II with a record of 3-2 in games that count for power points. Cortez (5-1) is ranked second behind No. 1 Buckeye Verrado (6-0). The top 16 teams in the conference will qualify for the 4A-II state tournament.
Maricopa (6-3 overall) will play at Phoenix Arcadia on Friday and at Gilbert Williams Field on Jan. 11 before returning home for games against Scottsdale Coronado on Jan. 12, Scottsdale 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.