Brophy looks to get past state final loss
Desert Vista spoiled last season’s undefeated run
Phoenix Brophy Prep opens the boys soccer season against Phoenix Desert Vista on Nov. 30.
That’s probably the best way to open after the way last season ended.
The Broncos needed only to win the 6A championship game to be crowned the mythical national high school champion.
But Desert Vista spoiled that with a 3-0 win that left Brophy players heartbroken with their only loss.
“It was a tough way to end,” said senior defender Deric Hall, who will play more forward this season. “That’s going to fuel my fire. But the team knows that we have to start out strong.”
It starts with Desert Vista. And gets harder.
Then, the Broncos play California powers Servite, San Clemente and St. Ignatius.
“They’re top-10 programs in the United States,” coach Paul Allen. “And then the Arizona Showcase will be tough, too. We’ll have numerous games to prep us for (state).”
Brophy won back-to-back state championships in 2013 and 2014. This is Allen’s third season as head coach.
His biggest concern is how to replace all the points forward Carter Clemmensen scored last season. Clemmensen, now at UC Santa Barbara after earning Arizona Republic and Gatorade Player it of the Year honors, left Brophy with 159 career points and 74 goals.
“You can’t replace what we did last year,” Allen said. “We had one bad game. But we had a great year. The kids learned a lot. It’s just going to be a little different. I think the kids returning having a little bit of drive.”
Defense will be key to Brophy’s success. That was the offseason emphasis. Brophy returns its top two goalkeepers and three of its four top backs.
Brophy will count on Hall as well as junior midfielder Francesco Montanile, defender Corbin Bernal, and forward Channing Chasten.
“If we can work together and team defend, I think it’s going to be tough for people to score,” Allen said. “Offensively, people are going to have to step up.”