Photo courtesy of American Leadership Academy Queen Creek.
Josh DeLano didn’t grow up playing soccer.
It wasn’t until he was stationed in soccer-crazy South America with the U.S. Navy that the sport piqued his interest. After serving honorably for 10 years, soccer was in DeLano’s DNA.
His team this season, American Leadership Academy Queen Creek, also found a special place in his heart, and it’s not just because it earned the No. 1 seed in the 3A Conference state tournament.
“They are the most down to earth, kind-hearted, high-spirited, tough-minded group of girls I’ve ever coached,” the fifth-year coach said. “I am fortunate to coach them.”
Last year’s postseason team served as ALA Queen Creek’s soccer breakout season.
This season’s team can accomplish more, beginning Tuesday when it’ll attempt to win the program's first ever state match.
ALA Queen Creek is the only undefeated team left in 3A and allowed just six goals in the 2019-20 regular season. On offense, a foreign exchange student, senior Elise Angelsen of Norway, made herself at home, scoring a team-high 31 goals so far for ALA Queen Creek.
The team also boasts two very strong captains, senior forward/midfield Jessie Watson (19 goals, team-high 14 assists) and senior goalkeeper Naomi Gilmore.
Gilmore helped her team’s somewhat new back line develop during the season. In the middle, junior Beige Garza leads her team’s up-tempo attack.
ALA Queen Creek (12-0) might possess the players to make a run, but it’s not the only 3A state title contender. Gilbert Christian, which dropped a 2-1 decision early in the season to Queen Creek, and defending champ Northwest Christian also are considered frontrunners this year.
“I would like to say that we are an up and coming team and a contender,” DeLano said. “But what I really want to say is that this was a team that literally built itself. I’m just a guy who says this is what you have to do. This is their team.”
3A tourney team notes
No. 2 Northwest Christian (14-1-1). “We have a deep bench and can substitute without losing talent on the field,” veteran coach Jeff Penzone said. “We have a tenacious group that plays hungry and can wear teams down. We also have great camaraderie and support of one another and an excellent coaching staff that pours into our girls’ play and their lives.” During Penzone’s tenure, his program has reached the playoffs the past six years and is the defending 3A champ. The entire team has volunteered at the CCV Tournament of the Stars and many serve in their churches. “Junior midfield Whitney Wilson is our on field leader, who is the motor for our play in many ways,” Penzone said. “She plays great on both sides of the ball and will make an impact for us. Senior defender Belle Ress is a staunch marking back who can lock down many situations with her tenacity and makes runs out of back on occasion and is great in the air. Sophomore Belle Floyd is a quiet leader who shows by example that grit and determination are key in being successful. She's our leading scorer.” … No. 3 Gilbert Christian (13-1). Team is led by senior forward Hannah Burke, the reigning 3A Conference Player of the Year. She is one of the state leaders in goals (34) and points. Sophomore center midfielder Emily Collard, the team’s “point guard,” led the state in assists last year and is doing so again this season. Speedster Landyn Lovelady plays basketball as well and totaled 15 goals and 21 assists in 11 games. Junior goalkeeper Emma Borgman is aggressive and is not shy about coming out of the box, her coach said. Gilbert Christian lost in penalty kicks during last year’s state quarterfinals. Its only other loss in the past two years came to No. 1 ALA Queen Creek this season. “We have a dominant defense and explosive offense with the best defender and best forward in the state,” coach Jay Feely said. ... No. 4 Arizona College Prep (11-3-1). The team’s weighted GPA is 4.34. The squad reached two tournament finals during the winter break and won the Chandler Prep Winter Classic. The will be the second appearance in the postseason for the program. “The team has been successful this season because of the team environment that we have been able to cultivate not only within the varsity team but with the whole program,” coach Hector Rivera said. “Everyone supports each other and pushes each other every day to be the best footballers and people they can be.” Hailey Starks had 61 points (24 goals, 13 assists). Goalkeeper Allison Gruwell has a .560 goals allowed per match average. Senior midfielder Megan Mckenna and senior midfielder Emiko Matsumoto are also team leaders. “They are all compassionate, hard working and committed leaders that make everyone feel welcomed and valued,” Rivera said. “They also possess individual traits which complement each other's.” … No. 9 seed Sahuarta (15-3-1). The team’s leaders are captains Alexia Irigoyen, Kambria Cash and Mari Acosta. “They lead by example, by their dedication, and by their love of the game,” coach Jim Rawlings said. “Our team has come together, played with intensity and purpose, and jelled at the right times. After a 3-year hiatus, this will be the second year in a row in the playoffs.” Freshman Sam Wright and sophomore Lina Bracamonte have scored a combined 61 goals. Senior Samantha Johnson has scored 13 goals. … No. 5 Trivium Prep (11-2-1). Its goal against average is .596. … No. 6 Fountain Hills (10-3). Freshman keeper Kylie Ward has a .800 goal against average in nine games, and Ashby Owen has 23 goals. … No. 7 ALA Gilbert North (10-4). The program is in its second season of existence. Last year it finished 7-5. .. No. 9 Paradise Honors (11-3). The team has outscored its opponents 92-12. Senior Sierra Sweeney (18 assists) and junior Sydney Rolfe have scored a combined 60 goals. … No. 10 Phoenix Country Day (11-3). Freshman Elle Mullard and sophomore Hailey DeMark have scored 18 and 12 goals, respectively. … No. 11 Safford (12-3-1). Sophomore Izabelle Quintero leads the team with 23 goals. … No. 12 Benjamin Franklin (10-4). The program is one win away from tying its program record high and bounced back after a 7-9 campaign last season. … No. 13 Yuma Catholic (8-3-2). Is tied for second in the state with the least amount of goals allowed with eight. … No. 14 Scottsdale Prep (7-7-1). The program has never finished with a losing season since it opened in 2013. … No. 15 Sabino (10-7-3). Senior Riley Bravin carries a .882 goals against average in 17 games. Kate Rustand has scored 22 goals. … No. 16 Tempe Prep (7-3-5). Senior Lauren Casey and freshman Dahlia Welter have scored 19 and 14 goals, respectively. This the program’s first winning season since 2009-10.
