Jonathan Melendez is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism Student assigned to cover Sierra Linda High School for AZPreps365.

Sierra Linda battled difficult odds and fought a tough match-up against the No. 2 soccer team in the division.  

The Bulldogs fell 4-0 to Verrado in an away game that was anything but easy. This was the first time in the school's history that the soccer team reached the first round of the playoffs, so this was new territory for the Bulldogs.  

The weather was a big turning point as it ultimately ended up getting the game cancelled in the second half. Lightning and thunder warnings forced officials to initially postpone the matchup and send both teams to the locker rooms for what initially was supposed to be a 30-minute break. 

Photo outside locker room of hail falling on cars. (Jonathan Melendez Photo/AZPreps365)

In the locker room, team captains were anything but upset. At one point Daniel Camacho, one of the captains, shared encouraging words for teammates who had their heads down. He told them to be anything but disappointed because they made history together.  

Despite the rainy and dreary conditions, coach Daniel Ramirez brightened the locker room with his presence. Everywhere you saw him he was sharing laughs and just having a good time with players. The outcome of the game might have not been what they wanted but Ramirez kept their spirits high and told them to be proud of themselves for reaching this stage.  

“They played their heart out,” Ramirez said. "They left it all out there. These guys played the game like they're supposed to.” Ramirez then shared protein bars with the team and uplifted the group while it was locked inside the opposing team's locker room awaiting to hear how the game would be decided.  

Coach Ramirez handing out protein bars to students while waiting out storm (Jonathan Melendez Photo/AZPreps365)

At one point, the referees spoke with athletic director Jim Kramer, telling him what a pleasure it was to ref for such a respectful group of kids.  

Tim Madrid, principal of Sierra Linda, shared how proud he was of the players and coaches for making school history and setting a precedent for the future. “This will all pass down to the younger kids, the kids in JV and the freshmen," he said. "It makes a difference because it shows them we can compete." 

As the team received final notice that the game was to end early because of the extreme weather, the players gathered one last time. Assistant coach Chadrick Outcalt shared a final message for the graduating seniors -- “Be good men.” 

The Bulldogs played tough on defense, but small mistakes contributed to their loss. One of the goals they conceded came from a penalty in the second half which put Verrado up 3-0. The early pressure from Verrado along with high winds blowing against their favor were something that they couldn't overcome.