ROUNDUP: Varner converts two PKs to send Green Valley girls past Silverado
Green Valley and Silverado had already clinched playoff berths before Thursday’s girls soccer match.
But a Southeast League title and the league’s No. 1 seed in next week’s Sunrise Region playoffs? The Gators will take that, too.
Kayla Varner scored two penalty-kick goals to lead visiting Green Valley past Silverado 3-0 to clinch the Southeast’s top seed.
“It’s an honor to win the division, because it’s a tough division,” Green Valley coach Joel Parks said. “But whether we had won or lost the game, the same thing applies. It all matters next week.”
Varner booted home the first goal after teammate Alissa Rodriguez was taken down inside the box in the game’s 25th minute, and added the final tally of the match off another penalty kick in the 68th minute immediately after Silverado keeper Samantha Lewis made a quick left-side save on a dangerous free kick.
“I think (Varner) controlled the midfield very, very well. Lots of steals – she was big there,” Parks said. “Her and Kaylynn Burgess were very big; they stole a lot of balls in the middle of the field, which led to some fast breaks.”
Asli Kupoglu scored on a free kick midway through the second half, slipping the ball into the upper left corner of the net.
The Gators had eight shots on goal — including five in the second half — with Lewis making five saves.
Nicole Westover was in goal to claim the shutout for Green Valley.
Del Sol 2, Foothill 1 — At Foothill, Senora Lankert scored a second-half goal to break a 1-1 halftime tie and lead the Dragons to a 2-1 road victory over the Falcons.
Lankert scored both goals of the match for Del Sol.
Alexis Noonan scored Foothill’s lone goal off an assist by Dominique Clough.
Chaparral 3, Valley 0 — At Chaparral, Chase Marchello had two goals and an assist as the Cowboys blanked the visiting Vikings.
Isabela Siqueira scored a goal, and Berenice Garcia and Carolina Reyes each had an assist for Chaparral.
Goalkeepers Jessica Fadgen and Alicia Garcia combined for the shutout for the Cowboys.
Eldorado 3, Desert Pines 0 — At Desert Pines, Alexis Sama scored two goals in leading the Sundevils to a 3-0 road win over the Jaguars.
Maria Bonsignore added a goal for Eldorado. Brandy Sanchez, Teresa Barajas and Katelyn Comeno each tallied an assist for the Sundevils.
Goalkeeper Chynna Hartmann made eight saves in recording the shutout.
Rancho 1, Canyon Springs 0 — At Canyon Springs, Jocelyn Mancias scored a goal to help the Rams edge the host-Pioneers.
Rachael Wiltshire registered the shutout for Rancho.
Las Vegas 8, Sunrise Mountain 1 — At Sunrise Mountain, Andrea Vidales and Marielle Hundley scored two goals apiece as the Wildcats cruised past the Miners.
Allie Hammer, Wendy Martinez, Yosinia Ges and Danica Pickett also scored for Las Vegas.
Giselle Odell tallied Sunrise Mountain’s lone goal.
Tech 0, Liberty 0 — At Liberty, the Roadrunners and Patriots played to a scoreless draw.
Goalkeeper Makala Lemley earned the shutout for Tech, and Amanda Sade was in goal for Liberty.
Coronado 2, Basic 0 — Sarah Pate had a goal and an assist as the Cougars blanked the Wolves.
Kymberly Buset also scored for Coronado, and Breanna Robinson tallied an assist.
Goalkeepers Kaitlyn Fahrner and Joanna Ross combined on the shutout.