Under the bright lights of their home field, the Verrado High School girls’ soccer team delivered a commanding performance against Paradise Valley High School on February 4th, securing a 3-0 victory on Senior Night. With the home crowd cheering them on, the Vipers showed why they were favored to win, proving The Viper Times’ bold 5-2 prediction wasn’t too far off the mark.
The Three C’s: Verrado’s Secret to Success
What makes this Verrado squad so confident and dominant? Head coach Ernie credits their success to the “Three C’s”—Confidence, Creativity, and Competition. “I remind the players of these three words before and during each game,” he said. “It gives them a foundation to focus on and helps them stay locked in on their goals.”
That mentality was on full display as Verrado played an unselfish, team-oriented game. “They communicated really well and worked together as a unit,” the coach added. “That’s what made the difference tonight.”
High Energy and Physical Play
Both teams came out aggressive, pushing the pace on offense while staying strong defensively. The match saw its fair share of physicality, resulting in three yellow cards—two for Verrado and one for Paradise Valley. One of the more intense moments of the game came when a Paradise Valley player tripped a Verrado attacker, leading to a crucial free kick.
A Special Night for Seniors
Halftime brought an emotional moment as Verrado honored its senior players. With family and friends joining them on the field, the seniors posed for pictures and soaked in the applause from the home crowd. The night wasn’t just about soccer—it was about celebrating the players who had given their all to the program.
Standout Performances and Final Score
Verrado’s offense shined, with standout performances from #16 and #11. #16 found the back of the net twice, while #11 added another goal. The Vipers nearly scored a fourth on a perfectly executed header pass, but three goals were more than enough to seal the win.
Final score: Verrado 3, Paradise Valley 0.
With this victory, the Vipers continue to prove they’re a force to be reckoned with. Paradise Valley brought effort, but on this special night, it was all about Verrado.
