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I am anchor
Ironwood soccer knocks off top seed for semifinal spot
Posted
Jeff Edgington
For West Valley Preps
All you need to do is look at the kits Ironwood wears to know the Eagles credentials.
Six crests (or stars if you prefer) encircle the schools logo. One for each title.
Saturday afternoon Ironwood got 2 second-half goals from underclassman to pull an upset and have a chance at a seventh.
With the 2-1 win against top-ranked and previously undefeated Queen Creek in the 5A quarterfinals, it means another semifinals appearance in the Tim Beck era.
Gold ball trophies are expected at the West Valley school. The latest was in 5A Division II over Goldwater in 2011.
This current group vaguely recalls that day at Campo Verde as they were in elementary schools. As his legend grows Beck deflected the praise about as good as his goalie in the net with the few shots the Bulldogs put up.
"Each group of kids is unique and special. This one here is young and eager to prove they belong. They earned it today. They were No. 1 and my boys knew that when the bracket came out," Beck said.
A rather important factor carrying the theme for the day was the lack of calls from the officials. It was very physical but very few whistles when it deemed necessary.
The No. 8 seed Eagles have been here before and in the final forty dictated the tempo (and remained composed enough) to capitalize.
The visitors scored in the 50th off a bounce pass connection from near midfield by Kenny Samatar. They added to the lead in the 67th when sophomore Gabe Guerrero took it away from the keeper.
Queen Creek struck with just over four minutes remaining on one of their few second-half chances. But it was too little too late.
Ironwood and Beck are motivated from a Semifinals loss to Campo Verde in 2017 and a Title loss to Brophy in 2013. They'll try to win a record seventh title to surpass Glendale Cactus.
Ironwood has hoisted the trophy in 2011, 2006, 2001, and 2000 under Beck. In 1993 and 1994 it was under John Lahman.
Beck said due to the uniqueness of playing in field turf and the oddity of playing back to back days (possibly) they'll construct a practice schedule to include use of a PVUSD home field. Shadow Mountain, North Canyon, or Paradise Valley are options, for the kids to get a familiarity.
He's seen it all and asked for the Scottsdale Chaparral rematch in the post-game banter. The Firebirds beat them Dec. 14 by a 3-2 score. Kickoff is slated for 5 p.m. Friday at Campo Verde High School, 3870 S. Quartz St., Gilbert.
