SUNRISE REGION: Skyhawks pass chemistry test, oust Eldorado

Danielle Parven said she shares a special chemistry on the soccer field with Silverado teammate Mikayla Ahlin.

That was on full display Tuesday.

Parven scored on a header off Ahlin’s corner kick to the center of the penalty box in the final seconds of the first half, and the Skyhawks rode the momentum to a 2-0 upset of Eldorado in a Sunrise Region quarterfinal at Valley High.

“I knew it was coming down to the end of the half,” Parven said. “I asked the ref and he said there was 25 seconds left, and we have a great corner kicker, Mikayla Ahlin. Me and her are good friends and know how each other plays, and I was ready for it.”

Silverado (9-4-6), the No. 4 seed from the Southeast League, advanced to meet Coronado (13-1-4) in the semifinals at 6 p.m. Thursday at Faith Lutheran.

The Skyhawks didn’t clinch a playoff spot until their final match of the regular season, but found a way to send the Northeast League champion Sundevils (16-2-1) home early.

“It feels amazing,” Parven said. “We weren’t even sure we were going to make the playoffs until the last game, and we didn’t make the playoffs last year. It’s just a huge step.”

Silverado freshman Krista Lee scored in the 60th minute off an assist from Parven, who took a free kick from Kayla McKenna and found Lee open near the right post.

Katelyn Comeno-Lewis made six saves in the shutout.

“I’m just proud of the girls and the way they competed and didn’t care if we were a No. 1 (seed) or a 4 and left it all out on the field for us,” Silverado coach Jenna Carter said.

Coronado 2, Valley 0 — At Valley, Nia Moreno scored in the 11th minute, and Breanna McCallum added a goal in the 56th minute as the Cougars eliminated the Vikings (6-6-4).

Gabrielle Morris and Kara Kopolow assisted on the goals, and Kaitlyn Fahrner made them stand up with a two-save shutout.

“We’re shooting well right now, from outside the 18 as well as inside,” Coronado coach Dana Neel said. “The confidence in our shots is probably the positive out of this match.”

Green Valley 2, Rancho 1 — At Rancho, Cassidy McLean converted a penalty kick four minutes into the second overtime as the Southeast League champion Gators (19-4-3) survived by nipping the Rams (8-12-3).

McLean was fouled inside the box before converting the penalty try for the Gators, who outshot the Rams, 18-1.

Rancho’s lone shot was a 40-yard free kick goal by Rae Ann Wiltshire.

Kayla Anderson netted the first goal for Green Valley, which will meet Liberty (9-6-2) in a semifinal at 4 p.m. Thursday at Faith Lutheran.

Liberty 1, Las Vegas 0 — At Rancho, Ari Gonzalez’s goal just prior to the midway mark of the second half allowed the Patriots to edge the Wildcats (10-6-3) and collect the first postseason win in the program’s history.

Sunshine Soriano brought the ball up the left side of the field before cutting to the middle and finding Gonzalez, who scored from the top of the 18-yard box.

Rebecca Rodriguez made six saves to earn the shutout.