Centennial shuts down Durango

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Feb. 8, 2001 | 10:42 a.m.

Complete with freezing conditions, a hat trick and even an empty net, Wednesday's 4A Sunset Region semifinal between Centennial and Durango resembled a hockey game as much as a girls soccer contest.

But Centennial's Ashli Kimenker made sure it wouldn't feature another of hockey's great traditions: overtime. The junior forward scored three times -- twice in the second half -- to lead the Bulldogs to a surprisingly easy 4-1 victory at the Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex.

"We had a lot of heart in this game," Kimenker said. "Last year, they knocked us out of the playoffs, so we wanted to get them back."

Centennial (16-3-1) took a 2-0 lead into halftime after a dominant first 40 minutes that saw Nickie Olson and Kimenker tally the Northwest Division champs' goals. Kimenker then all but iced the win three minutes into the second half, making the score 3-0 off an assist from Dannielle Davis.

"We talk about the first 10 minutes of the second half being real important," Bulldogs coach Jay Howard said. "Whether you're up or down, you have to come out and play hard."

Down three goals and facing elimination, the Trailblazers (10-4-2) finally got their offense going, generating several good chances with the wind at their backs. Coach Barry Forget pulled out every trick in the book, even leaving the net open for a spell and sending keeper Tara Jones upfield to join the attack.

With Jones safely back in the net, Durango cut its deficit to 3-1 on a goal by Stephanie Lee midway through the second half, but Kimenker scored again moments later to quiet the Blazers' sideline, this time for good.

"On her club team (Kimenker is) a defender, and she started this year at midfield," Howard said. "Then we moved her to forward, and since we've done that, we've been pretty tough to beat."

Centennial will face Southwest Division champion Bishop Gorman in Saturday's Sunset Region championship at 1:30 p.m. The Gaels (15-3-3) advanced with a 2-1 victory over Bonanza Wednesday, with Tschana Breslin breaking a 1-1 deadlock midway through the second half. Sarah Kesgomol also scored for Gorman, with Elana Graham tallying the Bengals' goal.

Regardless of Saturday's outcome, both the Bulldogs and Gaels are guaranteed a spot in next week's four-team Clark County Tournament, as are Silverado and Green Valley, who will play for the Sunrise Region title Saturday at 11 a.m.

Silverado (14-6-4) moved on with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Eldorado Wednesday, with Natalie Griffin and Shawna Park providing the game's only goals in the first half. Green Valley (19-2-1) outlasted a feisty Rancho squad 1-0 in overtime, with Emily Eskin breaking the drought with four minutes left in the second extra session.