Tucson Palo Verde went 4-0 at the Lady Titan Invitational held this past week including a 5-2 win in the championship match Saturday afternoon against Tucson Rincon/University High.

Sophomore forward Jackie Igulu led Palo Verde with a hat trick in a game that remained tight until Igulu scored her last two goals in the final 13 minutes of play.

"We have beaten every team over the last 27 years," said head coach Jim Mentz. "This is the first time we have ever won against Rincon. We have come close but this is the first team to get it done. This win is dedicated to every girl listed on that wall."

Listed on a banner behind the Palo Verde bench are the names of players who have earned hall of fame status playing for Mentz.

Chris Cox is in his first year at Rincon and he sees progress since the beginning of the new season. "It's my understanding we lost about 13 girls from last year," said Cox.

"I see a lot of positive things that will help us come out in January when we get into regular season play."

Leading the way for the Rangers, according to Cox, is Maria Dominguez. Dominguez made one of two goals for Rincon with Ayla Navarro making the first. Both goals came as a result of penalty shots.

Jennifer Worden put Palo Verde up 1-0 on an assist from Ashley Quiros and then Worden assisted Igulu on her first goal. Janet Squire added an unassisted goal from 40 yards out later in the match.

Igulu had three older brothers play at Palo Verde and she feels this is her time.

"This feels really good," said Igulu. "I told myself I was going to try and score as many goals as I could this year and help lead my team to state. We have great communication and we get the ball to the right place."

Igulu has 24 goals on the year.

Tucson Flowing Wells defeated Cholla 3-0 in the fifth place game with Clarissa Lucero scoring on an assist from Elise Rodriguez in the 42nd and then Rodriguez put away an unassisted goal in the 73rd. Nataly Gonzalez scored on a corner kick from Ellyvana Carpio in the 78th to end the scoring.

Douglas sophomore Crystal Munoz took over the third place match and scored five unassisted goals including the first three of the match within ten minutes of play. Her first goal came about five seconds into the game off of the opening kick

Yadira Cuevas scored in the 19th minute and Victoria Arvizu added the final goal for the 7-1 win over Nogales. Cheyenne Garcia scored the lone goal for Nogales.

The Arizona Soccer Showcase will begin play on Dec. 29 at the Reach 11 Sports Complex in Phoenix and the Sahuarita Walden Grove Soccer Tournament will begin the same day.

 

16th Annual Palo Verde Soccer Invitational

Saturday, Dec. 13

Palo Verde 3, Cholla 2

Nogales 2, Flowing Wells 0

Rincon 3, Douglas 0

 

Thursday, Dec. 18

Rincon 1, Nogales 0

Douglas 3, Cholla 0

Palo Verde 4, Flowing Wells 3

 

Friday, Dec. 19

Rincon 2, Cholla 0

Douglas 5, Flowing Wells 0

Palo Verde 4, Nogales 2

 

Saturday, Dec 20

Fifth Place

Flowing Wells 3, Cholla 0

Third Place

Douglas 7, Nogales 1

Championship

Palo Verde 5, Rincon 2