Falcons shocked in shootout
Palo Verde ties game late, wins on penalty kicks in 4A‑II girls semifinals
by Jason Stone                        

CAVE CREEK – Soccer players have difficulty topping the exuberance of winning games in sudden‑death shootouts. But to lose in that fashion is simply torture.

Cactus Shadows’ girls soccer team experienced the latter in the Final Four of the 4A‑Division II state tournament last week, and saw its season end in the semifinals for the second straight season.

Palo Verde’s Becky Morelos kicked in the final of three penalty kicks Feb. 6 to give the Titans a 3‑0 win in the shootout, which gave them a 3‑2 win in the game played at Tempe Sports Complex.

Cactus Shadows (14‑7‑0) led 2‑1 in regulation but could not hold the lead. The two teams played two scoreless overtimes before settling the game in a shootout.

Early in the game, the third‑seeded Falcons looked to be headed for a big win over the No. 10 Titans when Lauren Saftchick scored just three minutes into the game. But Palo Verde needed only three minutes to answer with Kanasha Smith’s equalizing goal.

Alana Huts gave Cactus Shadows its second lead of the game midway through the second half, and the Falcons tried to tighten up defensively to advance to the finals. But Palo Verde’s Ebriana Moore drove a free kick home with six minutes left in regulation to force extra time.

Cactus Shadows, which loses only three seniors from this year’s team, outshot Palo Verde 12‑7.

Palo Verde, which advanced to the state championship for the first time in school history in any girls sport, won its first three games at the tournament all by shootout.

Flagstaff eventually beat the Titans to claim its first state championship as well. The Eagles dethroned defending champion Higley in the semifinals. Higley eliminated Cactus Shadows from the 2006 state semifinals.                     

Reach the reporter at jason@thedesertadvocate.com.