It was an unfortunate end to Camp Verde soccer’s playoff run as the Cowboys lost 3-1 to Show Low on Oct. 24.
Brandon Cruz scored Camp Verde’s lone goal in the second half.
The Cowboys had 11 shots on goal as Cruz led the team with seven.
This marks the second consecutive year that Show Low has eliminated Camp Verde from the playoffs as Show Low defeated Camp Verde 1-0 last season.
These two teams played earlier this season on Sept. 13, when Camp Verde and Show Low ended the match in a 1-1 tie in double overtime.
The Cowboys end their season at 5-5-2 and 3-2 in sectional play.
After graduating 17 players over the last two years, Miller says Camp Verde went into this season with lower expectations than usual.
This mindset changed for Camp Verde as the Cowboys started their season 5-0-1.
While the Cowboys did not get as far as they would like, Camp Verde coach David Miller is excited for Camp Verde’s future.
“We are a young team, we only had three seniors this season so it is just the beginning
of our success,” Miller said. “Our team was full of underclassmen and to be ranked fifth this season says a lot about our future.”
Camp Verde loses Cruz, Joseph Jones and Chris Holdgrafer to graduation but will have 12 freshmen and eight sophomore returning.
This season was Holdgrafer’s first on the team while Cruz and Jones have played varsity for all four seasons.
“They are hard guys to replace because of their skills, leadership and other contributions to the team,” Miller said. “The legacy they leave behind is hard work and a desire to win.”
With such a young team, Miller believes the sky’s the limit for the Cowboys.
“I get to coach some of the most talented young men in the valley and maybe even the entire state,” Miller said. “They are excited, coachable and they understand what the tradition is of Camp Verde High School and especially the soccer team.”
During the offseason, Miller wants the Cowboys to improve their touch on the ball before the beginning of next year.
“I would say that is the biggest challenge for American soccer players in general is a lack of consistent
touch,” Miller said. “If you are battling to control the ball all the time, how can you develop a consistent offense?”
Despite their season ending prematurely, it is never too early to be thinking about next season.
“On the way home from the game I had already diagrammed next season’s potential starting lineup,” Miller said.
Camp Verde will take 30 days off before getting ready for next season.
“We will start scrimmagingin December because we want to make sure the boys maintain a solid touch on the ball,” Miller said. “Then we will get into spring and that is when the intensity heats up.”
Show Low moves on to play top-seeded Phoenix Country Day, who won their first playoff match 5-0 against St. Johns.
