An unusual start to the season for Sedona Red Rock High School boys soccer turned out to be a “disappointing” one Thursday, when the Scorpions finally opened their season at rival Camp Verde.
After last week’s season opener was canceled last second due to mechanical problems with their opponent’s bus, the Scorpions were forced to wait an extra week before starting their season. When their season finally began on Thursday, the Scorpions were unable to get anything going offensively as they fell 3-0 to the rival Camp Verde Cowboys, who were playing in their fourth game of the year.
“At last year’s game the lights went out after halftime so the game ended 1-1. Last Thursday’s game, Camp Verde basically put the lights out on our team when it was over,” Sedona head coach Sam Blom said. “We were very disappointed but this loss made our players more determined to do better going forward.”
Things weren’t going the Scorpions’ way from the opening kick. Just 10 minutes into the match, the Cowboys wiped the zero off their side of the scoreboard with a goal from sophomore Hector Torrez, who capitalized off of a misplayed header by Sedona.
Just 20 minutes later, Torrez once again found the back of the net, this time netting the rebound off the gloves of Sedona goalkeeper Joan Rodriquez following a Camp Verde shot on goal.
The Scorpions never recovered from the quick 2-0 jump made by the Cowboys. Camp Verde would later tack on a third in the second half.
“We’ll be more prepared for the next game since the Camp Verde contest was our very first one of the season,” Blom said. “Camp Verde played three previous games.”
The vicious Camp Verde attack out-shot Sedona with 15 shots on goal to four. But given that it was just the first match of the season, Blom was pleased with what he saw in the midfield and on the defensive side with his team.
“Junior Max Metzger and senior Kevin Beltran were solid in the midfield creating some opportunities for us to try to score,” Blom said. “Freshman Ramon Betancourt came in early in the game at fullback and remained because he has the speed and tenacity to be effective for the defense.”
Metzger was a victim of the intense physicality of the rivalry match-up. He had to leave the match on two separate occasions following collisions to both knees, but despite appearing to be in intense pain, Blom said Metzger is “fine” and will be available for Wednesday’s game against Page.
With how the opener turned out against its fiercest rival, Sedona is ready to get back on the pitch. The calendars are circled for Oct. 12 for the rematch, where this time Sedona will host the Cowboys.
“The next Camp Verde game will be at our field with our home fans in attendance,” Blom said. “By the time we play the Oct. 12 contest, we’ll have played six matches and should be more prepared and organized.”
Before then, Sedona will look to earn its first victory Wednesday at 6 p.m. for its home opener, when it hosts Page High School.
