Maricopa boys soccer team faces challenging season

It’s a tough section. Lose two games, and your chances of advancing to the playoffs are practically nil.

So after a mediocre season, Maricopa High School’s boys soccer team knows it has some hills to climb in a Tucson-dominated division. And coach Cortney Kellenaers is taking it a game at a time.

“We’re going to try to play as good as we can and get as many wins as we can,” said Kellenaers, who is starting his fifth year as coach of the Rams. “We’re always shooting for the state playoffs, but that is a very difficult task.”

On his 18-man roster, Kellenaers has seven seniors. Five are returners, including star forward Christian Ramirez and midfielder Ben Perry. The coach expects a lot out of both of them in play and leadership. He is also eyeing newcomer Pedro Olivares, a senior midfielder, for strong soccer potential.

Four of his players, including a couple of standouts, are waiting out eligibility issues before they can join the team, so it is another challenge for the Rams to get up to speed.

“So far so good,” said the coach as the new team learns to meld.

The team was scheduled to play at Higley Dec. 4, but that was canceled. Wednesday, they will head to Ironwood Ridge to officially start the season in section play.

“The Tucson teams are pretty tough,” Kellenaers said. “They’re gonna be tough, they’re gonna be big and they’re gonna be fast.  Hopefully, we can outsmart them and outpace them.”

The Rams did have a scrimmage in November with La Joya. It turned out to be a loss, but it did allow the coach to see what he had on the field. It was also an opportunity for the players to begin to find themselves as a team.

The coach said the offense is looking pretty good, “but we need to close up a few holes. I found out which players I could trust in which positions, and I kind of figured out where we’re at. Our fitness isn’t where you want it to be yet.”

***ADVERTISEMENT***The Rams were 7-7-2 last year after switching to the new division. Knowing how tough it is to advance with even two losses in the section, Kellenaers also has the challenge of keeping players motivated when times get hard.

“I tell them, ‘You’re here to get better, no matter what happens, no matter what end goal you have for yourself,’” he said.

The soccer team’s Free Friday Night Clinics also keep the players connected to the kids behind them. On select Friday nights at 6 p.m., children age 4-12 are invited out to the MHS stadium to learn new skills from the varsity players.

The clinics next clinics will be Dec. 12, Dec. 19, Jan. 9 and Jan. 16.

Maricopa Boys Soccer Home Games
(Varsity plays at 6 p.m.)
Dec. 15 vs. Combs
Jan. 6 vs. Catalina Foothills
Jan. 7 vs. Seton
Jan. 13 vs. Casa Grande
Jan. 15 vs. Flowing Wells
Jan. 23 vs. Canyon del Oro (senior night)