STATE PLAY-INS: Coronado girls, Eldorado boys advance to state

The final berth in the Division I girls state soccer tournament was only seconds away from being decided by penalty kicks.

Coronado’s Breanna McCallum made sure that wouldn’t be necessary.

McCallum scored with about 15 seconds remaining in the second overtime to give the Cougars a 1-0 victory over Centennial on Monday at Faith Lutheran to claim the final berth at state.

“There’s no words to describe how I feel right now,” McCallum said. “I’m so excited. I can’t believe that just happened.”

With time winding down, Coronado’s Taylor Neubecker sent a pass to McCallum near the top of the penalty box. McCallum trapped the ball with her chest, then ripped a shot just under the crossbar for the win.

“I trapped the ball in the air and I looked to the right and I just saw the goal and I just struck it as hard as I could,” McCallum said. “When it hit the net, I dropped to the (ground). I couldn’t believe what happened.”

Melanie Frank made nine saves to earn the shutout for the Cougars (12-6-2), who play Sunset Region champion Arbor View (13-4) in the state semifinals at 6 p.m. Friday at Heritage Park.
Centennial finished 12-6-2.

BOYS DIVISION I PLAY-IN

The boys state play-in game was decided when Edgar Duran scored in the sixth minute of overtime to give Eldorado a 3-2 victory over Durango.

Chris Perez played a high pass toward the top of the box. Durango goalkeeper Andres Caldera came out to try to make a play on the ball. Duran and Caldera appeared to collide, Duran came away with the ball and put it into the open net.

“I just stood up strong,” Duran said. “I knew the goalie was coming, so I did like a 360, and I put it up in the goal because I saw him come out.”

Perez and Andres Lua also scored for Eldorado, which will make its second straight state appearance. The Sundevils (16-4-1) play Sunset champion Bishop Gorman (12-2-2) at 4 p.m. Friday at Heritage Park. Before last season, Eldorado hadn’t been to state since 1994.

Cristoval Magana scored both goals for Durango (13-5-1). His goal in the 26th minute tied the score and helped send the game into overtime.