If all high school soccer seasons could end as they begin, William “Pat” Allen would be a happy head girls soccer coach.
The Camp Verde High School girls soccer head coach saw it happen last fall, when the Cowboys ended the season the same way it began — with a 5-1 loss to Blue Ridge High School, the second time in the Division V state quarterfinals.
Since they end their regular season at home against Holbrook High School, a 10-0 win Wednesday, Sept. 2, at the Roadrunners bodes well.
“They pretty much controlled the entire game,” he said. “We put the starters out there half of the second half just playing a good game of keep-away: Working the ball around, looking for the open player [and] making clear shots on goal, not just making a shot because you can.
“The girls understand it doesn’t do any good to blow this kind of team out: They’ve been struggling for a few years.”
Head boys coach Dave Miller has a more positive, longer-range outlook.
“All my boys have the potential to be able to play up and score a goal,” he said. “Last year, we were just young, and it boiled down to experience and size. Next year, I return everybody.
“I’m one of those coaches who are extremely optimistic: I think we have the talent to win it all.”
For the full story, please see the Wednesday, Sept. 9, issue of the Camp Verde Journal.
