Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Gators win in shootout, advance to face Cowboys

Tears fell amid boisterous cheers Tuesday after Green Valley's girls soccer team won its second overtime shootout in seven days, defeating Palo Verde 2-1 at the Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex.

The Gators (18-5-1) will go on to face Chaparral (14-5-3) Thursday at 6 p.m. for the 4A Southern Nevada State Girls Championship, a rematch of last Saturday's Sunrise Region title game, won 2-1 by Green Valley.

The Cowboys advanced with a 3-2 victory over Durango in Thursday's first semifinal.

"This is really beyond words," Gators coach Joe Joblonski said. "They had the stamina, the determination and the heart and now we're here (at state)."

Both teams fought hard, battling the cold and fatigue to take the game to its conclusion. Palo Verde scored 15 minutes into the first half on a kick by freshman Kayla Lambert, assisted by Cory Sak. Green Valley's Kimberly Chock answered 10 minutes later, scoring on an assist by Lindsey Schiess.

Palo Verde dominated the field during the second half, putting itself in scoring position many times, but Gator goalie Elizabeth Winkelblech held off the charge. The Panthers almost pulled ahead midway through the second half on a shot by Brittany Day that appeared to have gone in, but referees ruled the ball bounced off the post without breaking the barrier.

Two 10-minute overtime periods and two five-minute sudden death sessions failed to break the 1-1 deadlock.

Both teams tapped the same goalkeepers who kept them in the game for the penalty kick phase.

Panther goalie Breann Piscitelli dug in for the first two kicks, barely holding onto the first and making a diving catch for the second. Teammate Jessica Scott scored first for her team, putting pressure on the Gators.

Green Valley's Megan Miller answered with a goal of her own, tying up the game once more. The next two players on each team failed to score. Then, Green Valley's Kristen Cooper, the team's last kicker, was able to deliver one last goal.

Panther freshman Nicole Velez drew her final attempt too far left, leaving Green Valley victorious by a 2-1 count in the shootout.

"They are walking with their heads up," Palo Verde coach Marc Hechter said.

"They played beautifully. There are no regrets, no second guessing."

Indeed, the Panthers went as far as any soccer team in the school's history. Seeded last in the playoffs, Palo Verde defeated top-seeded Bishop Gorman and a strong Bonanza squad to make it to the final four.

"Their school is very proud of them. They did well -- the best they could," Hechter said.

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