Falcons feel fine after title
by Jason Stone

CAVE CREEK – Expectations remain high at Cactus Shadows after last year’s co‑state championship in boys soccer. But second‑year coach Mat Evans said this year’s team will be completely different in makeup–if not in results.

After losing 11 seniors–many of whom were big contributors to the school’s first boys soccer state title–Evans is learning how to integrate a talented group of freshmen with the nucleus of last year’s returning members.

“The way all the seniors were close last year, it was like a family,” Evans said. “We’re (working on) getting the mix right to get the team spirit back again this year.”

The Falcons will certainly have time to work on that mix. The team chose to forgo any in‑season tournaments and instead will play only 10 matches this season. Evans will be leading the team through more of a season of training.

“A lot of these guys are coming right off club play, so they’re already ready to go,” Evans said.

Key contributors will be seniors Ryan Sharman, Sean Marsh, Ryan Covey and Kyle Royer and sophomore Matt Moorer.

Reach the reporter at jason@thedesertadvocate.com.