The Corona boys soccer team has a slogan that has kept it going all season: “It’s our time.” Believing in each other and continuing to play smooth, easy, cool, “John Travolta” -style soccer, as their head coach, Dan Salas, consistently tells the team, has served them well.

The Aztecs came into the Arizona state 5A-I soccer tournament last week, although ranked as the Republic’s No. 4, seeded at No. 11.

That meant CdS had to face No. 6-seeded Mesa Red Mountain on Jan. 29 in the first round. CdS lost to Red Mountain earlier in the season 1-2 but reversed the score last week, beating the higher-seeded Mountain Lions 2-1.

CdS then went on to win in the quarter finals, Saturday, Feb. 2, against No. 3-seeded and No. 2 Arizona Republic-ranked Tucson Salpointe, 2-1.

This win earned the Aztecs the right to advance to the semifinals against No. 2-seed Brophy, Tuesday, Feb. 5, at Phoenix Paradise Valley High School.

A team they lost to 1-4 earlier in the season.

What else, besides playing “John Travolta-style” soccer, has helped the Aztecs win these state tournament matches against higher seeded teams?

It could not have been an easy feat for a team seeded towards the bottom with an 11-7 record—a record, though, that did not reflect the confidence the players had in their ability to win games.

“Winning the Tempe Diablo Tournament at the beginning of the year gave us the confidence to know we could beat the best,” said senior Luke Burba.

“Our forwards made the plays in the state tournament games we needed,” said senior Joey Kamper. “Luke Burba had a beautiful goal, set up by Michael Tapia, in the second half of our game versus Salpointe to put us ahead.”

In addition, several players, who do not always get the recognition they deserve in the stat books, played hard-nosed defense. “Our defenders, senior Austin Vandabur and senior Colby Thornton, definitely stepped up their play in the state tournament matches,” said Kamper.

“Without them keeping the other team from getting into a rhythm, we wouldn’t be where we are going into the semi-finals against Brophy.”

Others players contributing big-time were sophomore sweeper, Garrett Baker-Slama, who “has been playing amazing,” and freshman goal keeper, Matt Bersano, who “has kept us in big games,” said Thornton.

What will be the keys to beating highly-touted Brophy in the semi-finals? First CdS will need to get past the fact the Brophy beat them early in the season scoring 4 goals to Corona’s 1.

The biggest key, though, to beating Brophy may be shutting down their star forward, Duke-bound Temi Molinar. “I believe the most crucial players, in our upcoming game against Brophy, will be the defense: Garret Baker-Slama, Austin Vanderbur, Colby Thornton, and both the Joshes (Von Allwordon and Youngberg),” said Burba.

Shutting down Molinar, though, will not mean that the Aztecs can slack on offense. “There’s no question that our forwards, Matt Wadjaja and Trevor Allen need to step up and score some important goals,” said Thornton.

Being ranked so low has inspired the Aztecs to play some of their best soccer in the state tournament matches.

They will need to play inspired to beat Brophy and move on to play in the championship match Thursday at ASU against the winner of the No. 1 seeded Gilbert Highland versus No. 4 seeded Desert Vista, who will be playing without two of their best players, Loftis and Steuber, because they were ejected during an unruly second half against Basha in the quarter finals.

The CdS boys soccer team has 11 seniors who definitely know that this week will be their last chance to take home the championship trophy and they don’t want to “leave anything on the soccer field.”

On Jan. 22, the Corona boys soccer team got a chance to offer a tribute to these 11 senior players and their parents before the home match against Desert Vista. Honored for their dedication and hard work were Luke Burba, David Lutz, Marc Jerde, Joey Kamper, Ben Sell, Michael Tapia, Colby Thornton, Gerardo Trevino-Ramos, Kevin Turner, Austin Vanderbur, and Josh Youngberg. In addition to being given recognition before the match, all eleven seniors started their final match as a high school player on Corona’s soccer field.