Elliott Greisen is a Masters student at ASU Cronkite School of Journalism assigned to cover Camelback High School for AZpreps365.com

PHOENIX– Camelback's defense played tough for all but a few seconds Wednesday night. Those few seconds were all that Verrado needed to find the back of the net and end the Spartans' three-game winning streak. 

After a scoreless half, Viper forward Khyrstin Kohatsu found the back of the net at the 50-minute mark, sneaking a shot past Camelback goalkeeper Adryelle Wilfert, who had been brilliant all night. The 1-0 margin would suffice as a margin of victory for Verrado.

“She [Kohatsu] played a through ball through my defenders who weren't really set up to be ready for that,” Wilfert said. “I came out and I just didn’t go for it and she got the corner. ” 

The Vipers opened aggressively, keeping the ball in front of the Spartans' box for the majority of the first 10 minutes of play.

Camelback was hard-pressed to fight its way past midfield. The Vipers kept the Camelback forwards in front of them, not allowing them to advance the ball down the middle of the field. The Vipers were able to counter-attack early, creating shot attempts that Wilfert repeatedly denied. 

“I know they had a lot of opportunities but thankfully we have a really good keeper,” Camelback coach Andreina Quiceno said. “It’s very helpful to have a naturally great keeper on your team. It really keeps you from being multiple goals deep in a game and allows your field players a chance to stay in the game.” 

At the seven-minute mark  Kohatsu, a senior, received a pass deep, driving hard and fast on the net. Wilfert, Camelback's sophomore keeper, dove at the shot, deflecting it just enough to trip Kohatsu up and send the ball off her feet and wide. 

The Vipers attempted 11 shots on goal for the night, keeping Wilfert, who ended with 10 saves, on her toes all game long. 

The Spartans played tough defense throughout the contest's 80 minutes, harassing Kohatus every time she had possessioin around the box, repeatedly denying her a clean shot. Kohatus was often forced to pass or take hurried shots that sailed wide or high.  

At the 20-minute mark, the Spartans found a way past the Vipers defense down the sideline. This attack rendered them their two best opportunities of the night, with one shot hitting the crossbar and another sailing over the top. 

That was as close to scoring as the Spartans would come.

The Vipers adjusted their game plan at halftime. Verrado increased its aggressive defense, harassing Camelback in its own end when the Spartans had possesion. Camelback rarely advanced the ball past midfield in the second half.

“We used halftime to regroup.” Vipers coach Kristin James said, “Adjusting our play off of theirs. The field is a little different here playing on turf, it being a lot wider definitely was something we didn’t expect coming in.” 

The Spartans spent the majority of the second half playing defense and keeping the Vipers from adding to their lead. Wilfert came up with save after save, knocking one ball away only to have to recover quickly and to deflect a rebound shot out of bounds. 

Camelback had few opportunities on the offensive end of the field. The Viper defense cleared the ball quickly and the Spartans were too slow to take shots. 

“We definitely had potential opportunities in the second half we didn't get the shots off quick enough,” Said Quiceno.

Camelback (4-5) looks to close out the season next Monday when they host Sierra Linda (3-4-1). Verrado (4-3-2)  will host Apollo (3-2) tomorrow night.