Junior Rachel Perez. Photo by William Lange

The Maricopa High School girls’ soccer team has improved over the first few weeks of the season but still lack a breakthrough victory. Their record is 0-3-3 (0-1).

The Rams started the season by participating in Scottsdale Christian Academy’s Desert Cup Classic at the Reach 11 Sports Complex in Phoenix. Maricopa managed to tie Arizona Interscholastic Association Division II high schools Tolleson Union, Raymond S. Kellis (Glendale) and Williams Field (Gilbert) before losing to Division III contender Trevor G. Browne High School (Phoenix).

Since the tournament, the Rams lost a close game against Desert Ridge High School (Mesa) at home and were shut out by Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson, 2-1.

“We’re still trying to gel as a team,” head coach Mallory Miller said. “I think our main difficulty right now is we’re not able to put two full halves together and we’re always playing from behind. So that is our biggest struggle.”

Despite returning a dozen players from last season, the Rams are still a young team. There are only two seniors on the roster, and underclassmen play a crucial role for the team’s attacking and defensive positions.

Three of Maricopa’s eight goals so far this season have come from freshman players, and the Rams often start underclassmen at midfield and defensive positions. This is beneficial for experience later in the season, but has caused some continuity issues in the early going.

“We have a really tight and skilled center mid in Shannon (Courtré), Andrea (Perez) and Rachel (Perez),” Miller said. “I think we need to have that confidence in our offense. Our offense just needs to step up when we get into the attacking third and be hungry to finish our chances.”

The strength of this team has come from solid defensive play. However, early deficits have made it hard for the Rams to get over the hump and claim their first victory.

“Our defense has been really stepping up and playing well,” Miller said. “Right now, in the first part of the season, our defense has really held us in the game. Overall, we’re getting there.”

Maricopa’s next shot at a win will be at home against Vista Grande High School on Monday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. The Rams will then hit the road for back to back road games against Dobson High School (Mesa) on Dec. 15 and Seton Catholic High School (Chandler) on Dec. 17.

Adam Wolfe
Adam Wolfe
http://inmaricopa.com
Adam was born in New Haven, Connecticut, but spent the majority of his young life in Lakeside, Arizona. After graduating from Blue Ridge High School, he earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. He has been working in the field of journalism since 2010. Adam has worked in a wide range of fields including professional sports and international media relations. He has also been a breaking news reporter, sports columnist, government reporter and community reporter. He spent a year in Denver, Colorado before coming to Maricopa in 2015. In his spare time, he will often be found enjoying the great outdoors. If he isn’t hiking or fishing, he is likely hopelessly cheering on his Arizona sports teams. Adam was born in New Haven, Connecticut, but spent the majority of his young life in Lakeside, Arizona. After graduating from Blue Ridge High School, he earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. He has been working in the field of journalism since 2010. Adam has worked in a wide range of fields including professional sports and international media relations. He has also been a breaking news reporter, sports columnist, government reporter and community reporter. He spent a year in Denver, Colorado before coming to Maricopa in 2015. In his spare time, he will often be found enjoying the great outdoors. If he isn’t hiking or fishing, he is likely hopelessly cheering on his Arizona sports teams. Adam was born in New Haven, Connecticut, but spent the majority of his young life in Lakeside, Arizona. After graduating from Blue Ridge High School, he earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. He has been working in the field of journalism since 2010. Adam has worked in a wide range of fields including professional sports and international media relations. He has also been a breaking news reporter, sports columnist, government reporter and community reporter. He spent a year in Denver, Colorado before coming to Maricopa in 2015. In his spare time, he will often be found enjoying the great outdoors. If he isn’t hiking or fishing, he is likely hopelessly cheering on his Arizona sports teams.
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