Defending champ Rams ousted in first round

The Antelope boys soccer team lost Tuesday to Safford 2-1 in the first round of the playoffs, putting an early end to the Rams' state championship defense.

Safford scored both goals in the first half, but it only took the Rams 10 minutes to get back into the game in the second half when Miguel Maldonado scored.

"We just couldn't get that second goal," Antelope coach Sam Romine said. "We played hard in the second half, but it just wasn't in the stars, I guess."