4A boys: Out of hospital, Sergio Aguayo nets 3 as Las Vegas wins state
By Justin Emerson Las Vegas Review-Journal
Las Vegas’ Sergio Aguayo (18) takes a fall during the second half against Coronado in the 4A boys state soccer championship game at the Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. Las Vegas won 5-1. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Las Vegas’ Sergio Aguayo (18) is fouled by Coronado’s Kealan O’Toole (4) during the second half of the 4A boys state soccer championship game at the Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. Las Vegas won 5-1. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Las Vegas’ Fernando Gomez (10) is lifted up by his team after their win against Coronado in the 4A boys state soccer championship game at the Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. Las Vegas won 5-1. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Las Vegas’ Rigo Carrasco (11) celebrates his team’s win against Coronado in the 4A boys state soccer championship game at the Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. Las Vegas won 5-1. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Las Vegas’ Daniel Rangel (8) celebrates his goal with his brother Salvador Valencia during the second half against Coronado in the 4A boys state soccer championship game at the Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. Las Vegas won 5-1. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Las Vegas’ Daniel Rangel (8) celebrates his score during the second half against Coronado in the 4A boys state soccer championship game at the Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. Las Vegas won 5-1. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Las Vegas’ Daniel Rangel (8) kicks the ball for a score during the second half against Coronado in the 4A boys state soccer championship game at the Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. Las Vegas won 5-1. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Las Vegas’ Sergio Aguayo (18) takes a fall during the second half against Coronado in the 4A boys state soccer championship game at the Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. Las Vegas won 5-1. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Las Vegas’ Sergio Aguayo (18) goes for the ball during the second half against Coronado in the 4A boys state soccer championship game at the Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. Las Vegas won 5-1. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Las Vegas’ Sergio Aguayo (18) is lifted up by Nathan Zamora (16) in celebration after his goal during the second half against Coronado in the 4A boys state soccer championship game at the Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. Las Vegas won 5-1. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Las Vegas’ Sergio Aguayo (18) connects with the ball with his head for a score during the second half against Coronado in the 4A boys state soccer championship game at the Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. Las Vegas won 5-1. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Sergio Aguayo was carted off the field Friday in the state semifinals and spent three hours in a hospital.
You never would know watching him play Saturday. Aguayo scored three goals — part of a stretch of four Las Vegas tallies in eight minutes — as the Wildcats defeated Coronado 5-1 to win the Class 4A state boys soccer championship at Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex.
“I really didn’t care; I was going to play today,” Aguayo said. “Today was phenomenal. I mean, I scored three goals. They told me it was something with my (hip) tissue, but it’s cool because I wanted to play.”
Aguayo scored two of his goals on headers off setups from Daniel Rangel in the 48th and 50th minutes, then completed his hat trick six minutes later. In the 55th minute, Rangel scored his second goal for Las Vegas (20-1-1), capping a flurry of goals that put the game away.
“It gives me the itch to say I think we’re going to win this game,” Las Vegas coach Rafa Mitjans said. “We just gotta keep calm until the referee blows the whistle.”
Las Vegas’ only blemish was a 52nd minute goal by Coronado’s Javier Estrada. The Cougars (21-4-1) hit two posts in the game, and Las Vegas keeper Rodolfo Gomez made eight saves.
The win put the bow on a dominating six-game postseason run for the Wildcats: championships in the Mountain Region, Southern Nevada and state, no games within two goals, four shutouts and a 25-2 goal differential.
Add it up, and it was Wildcats’ third state championship in program history and the first since they won in 2008 and 2009.
“I don’t even know how to feel, it’s been a dream to win state,” senior captain Fernando Gomez said. “Our defense, of course, has been great. The saying is offense wins games, defense wins championships. I feel like that’s what happened. We have the best offense in the state.”
