Centennial cruises in rare second chance semifinal

David Becker / Special to the Home News

Centennial High School senior Ashley Mosley, left, leads the way with the ball as Shadow Ridge’s Kelsey Kurth comes up from behind during the Sunset Regional semifinals at the Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex on Thursday.

By Steve Silver (contact)

Thursday, March 5, 2009 | 7:53 p.m.

One week ago the Centennial girls' soccer team watched their season crumble at the hands of a 3-0 shutout to Arbor View in the Sunset Regional semifinals.

Tears streamed down the defending state champions' faces as they boarded the bus home one final time together – or so they thought.

The Bulldogs learned Tuesday they would have one more chance to repeat as state champions thanks to an unusual ruling by the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association to replay part of the tournament after it was determined Shadow Ridge used an ineligible player in one regular season game.

Despite the short notice, Centennial took full advantage of its second chance in the playoffs as the Bulldogs muted Shadow Ridge 3-1 Thursday afternoon.

"I've been playing soccer for 20-some years and in the playoffs when you are out, you are out," Centennial coach Emmanuel Ayim said. "We were given a second life and like any champion when you are given a second chance, you are going to do your best to take advantage of it."

The Bulldogs wasted no time capitalizing on the rare playoff mulligan as junior Katelyn Thein scored in the fourth minute on a slow rolling left-footer that narrowly tucked in the far right post.

Although only leading 1-0 at halftime, the Bulldogs scored two goals within the first 10 minutes of the second half to jump out to a 3-0 advantage.

Sophomore Faith Johannes scored in the 47th minute on a doorstep tap-in while junior Sophie Krauza netted a 25-footer in the 49th minute.

"We had a bad game against Arbor View last week and to be honest we were down," Thein said. "We knew we didn't play our best, so when we heard we had a second chance we knew it was a once in a lifetime chance. We were so pumped today."

Shadow Ridge junior Kelsey Priest recorded the Mustangs' only goal in the 76th minute.

The Mustangs beat Bishop Gorman 1-0 in double overtime in the first attempt at the Sunset Regional semifinals, but they struggled to create any offensive attack in the second version of the semifinals.

"We played with class, now leave with class," Shadow Ridge coach Harvey Robicheau. "Put it this way, I've lost enough to know how. I'm proud of every one of them."

Centennial will now face another second-chance squad, Bishop Gorman, in the Sunset championship on Monday at 4 p.m. The Gaels dropped Arbor View 2-0 in the other semifinal on Thursday.

Centennial and Bishop Gorman have not faced each other yet this season.

"We don't worry too much about our opponent," Ayim said. "We feel that if we take care of business and do what we do best then we should have a positive result."

Steve Silver can be reached at 948-7822 or steve.silver@lasvegassun.com.