Brophy 2
Desert Vista 0
View photos from the game
By P. Erik Meyer ’14 & Michael Moroney ’13
THE ROUNDUP
Brophy soccer scored two goals in the second half Saturday, Feb. 9 against the No. 3 Desert Vista Thunder to clinch the Division I state championship for the second time in three years.
“Last year’s team was very similar to this year’s team,” said head soccer coach Mr. Marc Kelly ’87. “They just grew up a year.”
The Broncos controlled most of the possession during the first half, but were unable to put the ball into the back of the net.
Four Brophy starters did not play in the first half including forwards Riggs Lennon ’13, David Lane ’13, midfielder Oliver Shanks ’13 and defenseman Colin Zaccagnio ’13 following an issue after the semifinal game. However, all four began the second half in the game.
It wasn’t until the 55th minute that Ryan Grotjohn ’13 netted the first Brophy goal for the second game in a row.
Grotjohn scored after a Tyler Dial ’14 shot was saved by the Desert Vista goalie and ricocheted in front of the goal.
Desert Vista had their only real opportunity of the game just a few minutes after Brophy’s first goal when a Thunder shot sailed just high and banged against the crossbar.
Goalie Phil Mourikes ’14 had few other save opportunities throughout the game. Mourikes was replacing starter Mike O’Connor ’13 after O’Connor went down with an injury in the quarterfinal match.
Following Grotjohn’s goal, the Broncos went into a defensive mode but were able to score again thanks to a Riggs Lennon ’13 breakaway goal in the 74th minute.
Lennon’s goal put the Broncos in a commanding position and the defense smothered the Thunder attack.
“It’s been a great season, very difficult January, a lot of traveling, a lot of tough games,” Mr. Kelly said. “In the end it was great redemption for these seniors, especially last year after the disappointment in the final.”
The Broncos ended the season with a 19-2 overall record and were undefeated against all Arizona opponents they faced.
View more photos from the 2012/2013 soccer season
