Camp Verde’s girls soccer team hosted Holbrook on Thursday, Oct. 22, for the Cowboys’ senior night. If they were going to send their five seniors out with a win, they needed to snap a three-game losing streak. That’s exactly what happened.
Camp Verde scored a trio of goals in the first half to open up a three-goal lead. The Cowboys couldn’t add to that lead in the second half but still controlled the ball throughout. They didn’t surrender any goals or many quality chances to the visiting Roadrunners and went on to post a 3-0 victory.
“I think we did really good,” senior Bridgette Fitzgerald said. “There was a lot of excitement. A lot of talking and movement. I think everyone was really excited for the game, considering it was senior night. We really opened things up for everybody.”
It was apparent early on that the Cowboys were the more talented team and it didn’t take long for that to show on the scoreboard. Sophomore Mckinlee Brewer found the back of the net to put her team up 1-0 less than 10 minutes into the game.
From there, senior Esperanza Perez took over. Four minutes after Brewer’s goal, Perez used her speed to set up a quality opportunity, which she cashed in on to put her team up 2-0. Perez’s speed was an asset again 13 minutes later when she got free and beat the Holbrook goalkeeper to put Camp Verde up 3-0.
“I was focused. I put all my energy into it and played my heart out,” Perez said. “Those two goals that I made were my best goals I’ve made in awhile. I was really proud of them.”
The win was nice for the Cowboys as it not only sent the seniors out with a win but also marked a stark reversal of fortune. Heading into the game with Holbrook, Camp Verde had not only lost three straight games, but had been outscored by a combined 19-2 in those three games.
The Cowboys were enthused by the turnaround performance.
“We came together as a team and actually poured our hearts out and gave 100%,” Perez said. “This is the best I’ve seen us connect. I’m really super proud of them and I think we did really well.”
The win moved the Cowboys to 4-7 on the season. They finished the regular season with a road game on Monday, Oct. 26, against Payson. The results of that game were not available at press time.
Following the Holbrook game, coach Javier Pineda spoke highly of his seniors, noting how much he’s enjoyed having them play for him.
“They meant a lot,” Pineda said. “I’ve had them since they were freshmen. It’s sad to see them go but at the same time you’re happy because they’re going to the next step. I’ll miss them. They’re like my daughters now. It’s kind of hard but it’s good.”
The team’s seniors were similarly reflective.
“I’ve seen myself grow a lot,” Perez said. “I am really proud of myself and really thankful for my coaches and all of the people who supported me. I’m a little sad that it’s my last night as part of the home team but I’m really proud of all of us.”
“It’s meant a lot,” Fitzgerald added. “I’ve done soccer my whole life. It’s important to me and it’s really hard to say goodbye.”
