Chasing (more) history
YC boys soccer 2 wins from 4th straight, 7th overall state title
Yuma Catholic boys soccer coach Ralph Evans maintains that his focus is on the present, but admits that he is at least cognizant of the historical nature of what his team is trying to accomplish.
“I’m a little superstitious,” he said when asked about it Thursday. “I’m not planning on rings, I haven’t looked at rings; it’s one brick at a time.”
The No. 2 Shamrocks (14-0 AIA), who face No. 3 Casteel (13-1) at 7 p.m. today at Williams Field High School in Gilbert, still need to win two more games, of course. Win tonight’s semifinal match, and they’ll face either No. 1 AZ College Prep (14-0) or No. 12 Sabino (9-3-1) in the championship Saturday.
That’s all that stands between
7 p.m. today, Williams Field HS
YC and more history.
Last year, the Shamrocks became the first team in Yuma County history (any sport) to win a third straight state title — and only the fifth boys soccer team in state history to do so.
A fourth straight would be even more unprecedented.
No boys soccer program that plays in the winter has ever gone back-to-backto-back-to-back; only Blue Ridge (2009-12) and Chino Valley (2013-16) have done so at any level, and both of those programs’ runs came in the fall in the state’s lowest division.
Further, YC is seeking its seventh state title in program history (also won in 2004, 2006-07) — which, if achieved, would be the second-most in state history for boys soccer, behind only Blue Ridge’s nine. Currently, the Shamrocks are one of six programs sitting on six (Brophy Prep, Salpointe Catholic, Ironwood, Cactus and Chino Valley).
Though probably not aware of the exact aforementioned historical facts, the Shamrocks do know they’re chasing history of some sort.
“Yeah, they do,” Evans said. “They’re really determined to get it. They really think they’re the best and they’re going to get it.”
Few can argue against YC’s chances. Though not the top seed, the Shamrocks have an overwhelming goal differential on the season (106 for, 2 against) and boast more postseason experience than perhaps anybody in the state; nine Shamrocks are multipleyear starters, two of whom are in their third year starting.
Three YC players are in their fourth year on varsity, nine are in their third and seven are in their second.
Over the last four seasons including this one, YC is a combined 61-1-1 in AIA games — with the only two non-wins coming last season.
Forward Ramon Urbano, defender Stockton Rush and goalie Rush Vance are the three Shamrocks who have been around on varsity for all 61 of those wins.
“I was surprised my freshman year that we even won, that I (got) a ring, and