In the midst of a three-match losing streak, the Cowboys soccer team recorded a forfeit victory Thursday, Sept. 22, when Thunderbird Academy High School decided not to compete.

“Our athletic director told us they couldn’t make it, so we’ll focus on the next match,” longtime Camp Verde High School boys soccer Head Coach Dave Miller said.

A reason was not given by press time as to why Thunderbird forfeited the game, but Miller was less concerned about a forfeit victory and has his sights set on the next match.

After starting 4-2 overall this season with wins over Thunderbird Academy [2-0] and Grand Canyon High School [2-0], the Cowboys have slipped a bit and are 1-3 in their last four matches.

Before the forfeit victory, Camp Verde lost tough matches to Phoenix Country Day School [2-1] on Sept. 15, Chino Valley High School [5-2] on Sept. 17 and at home to Northland Preparatory Academy [2-1] on Sept. 20.

The Cowboys are 5-5 overall this season but are only 2-3 in Arizona Interscholastic Association power point matches. With a 2-3 record, Camp Verde is ranked No. 12 in the Division IV AIA power point polls, which were released Monday, Sept. 26.

Camp Verde’s latest loss to Northland Preparatory on Sept. 20 came against a team that is 5-2 and ranked No. 2 in Division IV.

The Cowboys were in action again Tuesday, Sept. 27, as they played host to Payson High School. The Longhorns are also 2-3 overall this season but are ranked No. 9. Results were unavailable at press time.

Next up, Camp Verde will travel to the Old Pueblo Tournament which runs Friday, Sept. 30, through Saturday, Oct. 1.

The Cowboys won’t be home again until Friday, Oct. 14, when they play host to Grand Canyon with an official start time of 4 p.m.