Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2005 | 8:54 a.m.
There are still three undefeated soccer teams in Southern Nevada -- but not the same three reported here last week.
Green Valley defeated Silverado 3-1 last Friday, putting the Gators alone on top of the Southeast Division standings.
But as several parents were quick to point out last week, Palo Verde is also undefeated. And the Panthers stayed that way, earning a 0-0 tie against Centennial, the other undefeated team in the Northwest Division.
"(Centennial) Coach (Jay) Howard and I spoke at length after the game and we were pleased with our teams' play, but both of us were disappointed as well," Palo Verde coach Marc Hechter said. "Good competitors do not like ties, even if it is part of our game."
In fact, assuming both teams win their Wednesday games, they'll be tied for the division title at the end of the regular season. Under Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association rules, the tie is broken under "Tiebreaker D" -- goals scored by league opponents.
Palo Verde so far has given up four goals to division opponents -- Centennial has allowed six. If Palo Verde gives up two goals in a Wednesday win against Mojave and Centennial shuts out Cimarron-Memorial, a coin flip will determine the top seed from the Northwest.
Three of the six goals scored on Centenial were scored at the beginning of the season, as the Bulldogs were adjusting to life with a freshman goalkeeper.
"Jenna Riddle has really improved as the year's gone on and it's becoming a strength for us," Bulldogs coach Jay Howard said.
Riddle replaced Sierra Boots, who was injured before the season and couldn't play.
Even with a top seed, nothing is taken for granted in soccer playoffs. Upsets are common every season, and both coaches know it.
"I try very hard not to set expectations," Hechter said. "I'm old-fashioned and probably superstitious enough to want to take each game as it comes."
Schulte, a junior who transferred to Brewster Academy (N.H.) in September but rejoined the Panthers in December, simply couldn't take the pain of a lingering ankle injury he suffered at Brewster. He'll have surgery this month.
Palo Verde lost to Mojave and Cimarron-Memorial last week, cutting their division lead and making an already tight Northwest Division playoff race even tighter.
The May 28 game, which features the top players from the Sunrise and Sunset Regions as well as outlying schools, will be played at 7 p.m. at Valley High, which has new artificial turf that so far has gotten rave reviews from area coaches. Both Valley and Bishop Gorman use Piggott Memorial Stadium as their home field.
Vegas' Chris Faircloth will coach the Sunrise team, and Palo Verde coach Darwin Rost will head the Sunset Region. All seniors from first- and second-team all-conference teams are automatically selected, with the remaining roster selected by the coaches.
That was the definitive word from Eric Jordan Sr., on conjecture that his son, All-State Offensive Player of the Year Eric Jordan, would be transferring to Foothill next season.
Jordan Sr. said a move to Foothill would make little sense. The Falcons already have one of the state's top running backs in DeAngelo Jones, and Jordan is nearing state all-time rushing records at Vegas.
"But it was entertaining enough," the elder Jordan said of the rumor, posted on an Internet message board.
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