Michele Aerin is a Master's student at ASU Cronkite School of Journalism assigned to cover Coronado High School for AZpreps365.com

EL MIRAGE⸺ A lot was on the line in the first round of the  4A boys soccer state championship Saturday. The Coronado Dons took on the Dysart Demons at Dysart High school. Victorious in eight of their last 10 matches, Dysart thwarted Coronado’s dreams of winning the state title with a 4-1 victory. 

Coming into this game Dysart, ranked No.7 in the state, averaged seven goals per game in their last five games. Armed with this knowledge, Coronado coach Jose Velarde didn’t want to change too much in his team’s preperations for this match. 

“We are not going to change anything,” Velarde said. “ We know they are a high-scoring team, they are used to scoring a lot of goals so we are ready for that. We have been tinkering with our defense, putting more height in there, and made it more physical but I don't think we need to do anything special for this game.”

Coronado started out strong with precision passing between Hector Arredondo and captain Miguel Cano. The Dons attempted seven shots on goal, including a free kick but were unable to find the back of the net.

In the sixth minute the Demons led a scoring drive. It started with a counterattack by junior David Flores and ended with a high flying goal kicked to the left by junior Agustin Orozco to put Dysart on the board first.  

Coronado answered in the 19th minute with its first and only goal scored by freshman Ali Espinoza. However, the Dons failed to carry that momentum into the rest of the match. Coronado would ultimately beat themselves by failing to come together as a cohesive unit. 

The Dons defense is usually their strong point. They play with a four-man back to make sure everything is covered. It wasn’t that the Demons were some unstoppable force, but more that the Dons were unable to come together and respond after the Demons scored a second time.

“Their [Coronado] defense is usually their strong point,” Velarde said. “But today, their passes were short and Dysart was beating them to the ball and that never happens.”

In the second-half Dysart made things tough for the Dons with a strong defensive effort. They employed a pressing strategy. The game was intense and very physical. Dysart’s defensive pressure and quick through passes gave them the edge over Coronado. The Dons' confidence was noticeably rattled and they were losing their cool with each other. 

“I feel like Dysart had a lot of good chemistry and we seemed like we weren't working together or coming together as a team,”  Coronado senior John Moreno Hernandez said. “It seemed like we were arguing with each other and it was not a good day today.” 

Besides their stellar defensive efforts, the Demons' goalie deserves credit for their win. Senior goalie German Cervantes made several saves that left the Dons wondering how he kept the ball out of the net. 

Freshman Ali Espinoza was awarded player of the game for his lone goal. 

(Michele Aerin photo/AZPreps365)

“I was just trying my best,” Cervantes said. “ If my team is putting in 100 percent, then I have to put in my 100 percent. I have to keep them in the game. That is my responsibility as a captain and as a goalkeeper. 

Ultimately team chemistry was the defining factor in this game. Coronado simply didn’t have it and Dysart did. 

“Coronado played well,” Dysart coach Jose Partida said. “Our chemistry was just great today. It's always been a challenge for us to play Coronado and this was our first time beating them.” 

Dysart (11-1-1) advances to play No.2 Salpointe Catholic (10-2) in the state quarterfinals. Coronado (8-5) now looks forward to next year.