Basha, Campo Verde girls reach Dobson Soccer Classic final

December 30, 2013 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


Basha's girls soccer team is enjoying quite a run with its unbeaten streak stretching to 11 matches on Monday afternoon.

The Lady Bears scored first and last in regulation and managed to reach the finals of the Dobson Soccer Classic with a 3-2 (4-2 SO) triumph over Mesquite in a semifinal match at Dobson High.

The match officially goes down in the record book as a tie, but a 4-2 advantage in PKs after two scoreless overtime periods advanced Basha to the title match. The Lady Bears will face Campo Verde, a 2-1 winner over Dobson, in Monday's other girls semi. The title match is set for Tuesday (Dec. 31) at noon at Dobson. It'se a rematch of last year's tournament final won by Basha and will be the third meeing this season between the schools. Basha won the first two meetings at Campo Verde's tournament earlier in the month.

Basha and Mesquite converted their first PKs in the shootout. Mesquite's second attempt was saved by Basha keeper Morgan Keith. Mesquite' missed its third Pk, sending it wide left. Basha got the two PK edge after its fourth attempt to prevail, courtesy of Jazmarie Mader. Hannah Householder, Kayla Glenn and Nicole Hildebrand made the other PKs for Basha. 

Basha (10-1-1), which had a streak of 10 consecutive shutouts snapped, scored first in the match's 16th minute. Hildebrand fired from about 20 yards out that bounced off the hands of Mesquite keeper Rachel Johnston and trickled in to the net for the early lead.

Mesquite hadn't put up much of a threat through the first half of the opening half. Junior forward Jaden Green, who left the match after a few minutes with a sore knee, returned to action about the 27th minute. Two minutes later she gained control in the right corner and fired home a tying goal to the far post.

Mesquite didn't do much of the pressuring in the second half, but posted a long and surprising goal to take a 2-1 lead in the 46th minute. Kasie Larson let loose with a high arching ball that carried and just cleared the outstretched arms of Keith. The kick was from between 40 and 45 yards out. Basha had allowed only one goal in its first 11 matches and that was on a penalty kick in its only loss to Mesa Mountain View.

"I don't remember a goal being scored against a team I've coached from that far out, ever, " Basha coach Greg Johnson said.

With the pressure on to tie and its unbeaten streak on the line, Basha got a couple good chances the final 15 minutes. The game-tying goal came courtesy of Householder, who knocked home a rebound after the ball ping-ponged off players seemingly from both teams. The goal came in the 70th minute.

In the boys semifinals played Monday morning, Millennium edged Central 2-1 and Tolleson knocked out defending tourney champ Campo Verde, 3-1. Millennium and Tolleson meet for te title Tuesday (Dec. 31) at 10 a.m. at Dobson.