The boys soccer team is 1-2-1 after adding a tie and a loss to their record last week. On Thursday, they played Camp Verde and lost 1-0. Despite the loss, boys soccer coach Ryan Palizzi said it was one of the best games his team has played all year. 

The Sand Devils played against Camp Verde earlier in the season and lost to them. 

This time his team got many more shots on goal and Camp Verde took far fewer shots on goal. 

“We played really, really well,” said Coach Palizzi. “They whooped us the first time we played them. They are a very good defensive team, one of the best in the league, and we were able to move the ball against them much better than before.”

One of the big differences in the two games was that this time they had two key players who had missed the first game: Quinn Begay and Caleb Ober.

“They’re very skilled players and having them on the field is always a big help for our team,” said Palizzi. 

The soccer team played Northland Prep on Saturday and came away with a 2-2 tie. 

“We started slow,” said Coach Palizzi. “We looked pretty lethargic and our heads were not where they needed to be on a Saturday afternoon. I’m disappointed we didn’t get the victory.”

Northland Prep was leading 2-1 until the final 15 seconds of the game when Brycen Mokehsi kicked one in for the tie.

The boys soccer team is back on the road again this week where they’ll take on Chino Valley Thursday and Camp Verde for the third time Saturday.