The Mingus Union High School boys soccer team earned its third straight victory Tuesday, Jan. 11, in an impressive 2-1 win at home over Bradshaw Mountain High School.
“It was a great match,” Mingus Head Coach Cade Densmore said. “We took good shots and our kids played well.”
Mingus beat Shadow Ridge High School [8-0] on Jan. 4 and 4A-II Grand Canyon rival Coconino High School [2-0] on Saturday, Jan. 8, to start the new year a perfect 3-0.
The victory Tuesday evened Mingus’ record to 5-5-1 [1-0, 4A-II Grand Canyon] overall this season.
The Marauders are currently ranked No. 18 in the Arizona Interscholastic Association power point polls, which were released early Wednesday, Jan. 12.
Against Bradshaw Mountain, an old Grand Canyon region foe, junior forward Williams Dominguez scored in the 10th minute off a Tanner Johnson assist to make it 1-0 Mingus.
In the 23rd minute, Bradshaw Mountain found a way through the Mingus defense and scored to tie it 1-1. The ball was kicked around in the box and eventually bounced over Mingus goalkeeper Gilbert Quidera’s head.
The Bears took only six shots on goal Tuesday compared to Mingus’ 12 while Quidera had four saves.
In the second half, Dominguez got a hold of another loose ball and made his way downfield only to get fouled in the box by a Bradshaw Mountain defender.
“There probably should have been a red card on that play. Even the coach for them said he was surprised there wasn’t,” Densmore said.
Senior Mike Rebstein was awarded the penalty kick by Densmore and he came through, placing the ball in the back corner of the goal to make it 2-1 Mingus with 28 minutes to go.
Both teams played even the rest of the way, but Mingus was able to hold off Bradshaw Mountain for the victory.
“It was a good win for us. They are a tough team,” Densmore said.
The biggest match of the season for the Marauders comes this weekend when they make the four-hour bus ride to Mohave High School to play the No. 4 Thunderbirds.
Mohave is a perfect 7-0 in power point matches this season. The Thunderbirds beat Bradshaw Mountain 4-0 on Dec. 8 and Coconino on Jan. 4, 1-0.
Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Mingus won’t return home until Saturday, Jan. 22, when it plays host to Page High School.
