Coyote Classic Soccer Invite

December 13, 2019 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


Chaparral's Gemma Koopal (9) is defended by Basha's Jazmin Brown (25) in their quarterfinal match at the Coyote Classic. Chaparral rallied for a 2-1 win in 2 OT. (AzPreps365 photo)

This year's Coyote Classic Soccer girls A Division quarterfinals were well-matched as each contest was decided by a goal and went down to the wire or overtime to be decided.

When they finished late Friday afternoon it wa Chaparral, Campo Verde, Perry and Pinnacle left standing and they will play Saturday afternoon in semifinals and a bit later for the survivors the title match at Campo Verde High School.

The matchups Saturday and their record in the tournament: Noon - Chaparral (3-0) vs. Perry (3-0); 2 p.m. - Campo Verde (2-1) vs. Pinnacle (3-0). Winners meet for title at 6 p.m.

The quarterfinal matchups and highlights:

Chaparral 2, Basha 1 (2 OT): The Firebirds were held in check nearly the entire match by the Bears' solid defensive effort but prevailed on a goal late in the second overtime.

Basha, which produced very few scoring chances, hit on one in the 15th minute with Kallie White delivering from about 25 yards out. Chaparral tied it in the 47th minute with a free kick  by Paige Farquhar that found the mark from just outside the 18. It took a rebound deep in the box in the 97th minute by Chloe Steinhilber to advance the Firebirds.

Chaparral lost the services of leading scorer Isabella Struckman midway through the second half with an undetermined knee injury. Struckman, a senior, entered the match with seven goals and two assists in the team's first four matches. Struckman has led  Chaparral in scoring as a sophomore and junior.

Campo Verde 1, Desert Vista 0: The host Coyotes managed the long goal on a set piece in the 70th minute to edge the Thunder.

Lexi Kreipke's corner kick was putin the net by Mallory Miller. Kreipke has two goals and four assists for Campo Verde, which has scored just seven goals in its four matches thus far this season.

Perry 2, Casteel 1: Joey Lujan snapped a 1-1 tie on a breakaway in the 74th minute to lift the Pumas past the Colts.

Perry, like Chaparral, had to rally from a goal down to win. Casteel tallied in the 36th minute with Nathalie Lewis tapping one in from a few yards out on a nice feed by Morgan Minnis. Perry evened the match in the 59th minute. Mikeel Reed rifled a cross to a streaking Brenna Rodriguez, who was nearly denied by Casteel keeper Kyli Swann.

Swann got her hands on the bullet, but it trickled away and found the net. Swann made several outstanding saves prior to the game-tying goal.

Pinnacle 2, Highland 1: Sophomore forward-midfielder Olivia Duncan scored both goals for the Pioneers as they held off the Hawks.

Duncan scored in the 21st minute off an assist by Anuli Okafor for a 1-0 lead. Duncan' second goal came in the 54th minute as she put walked in a deflected shot by teammate Kate Faasse.  Highland didn't let Pinnacle rest easy, scoring in the 58th minute on a set piece.

Highland's Camryn Patten's corner was headed in junior co-captain Madison Cullinan. Highland had a couple more set pieces down the stretch, but was unable to get the equalizer.

The rest of Saturday's semifinals and finals schedule for A Division boys, B Division boys and B Division girls:

A Division boys at Campo Verde HS

Semifinals

8 a.m. - #4 Casteel vs. #1 Campo Verde; 10 a.m. - #3 Perry vs. #2 Chander.

4 p.m.  - Final - matching semifinal winners

B Division boys at Higley HS

8 a.m. - #4 Mountain View vs. #1 Dobson 10 a.m. - #3 Higley vs. #2 Mountain Pointe.

4 p.m.  - Final  - matching semifinal winners

B Division girls at Higley HS

Noon - #4 Mountain View vs. #1 Gilbert. 2 p.m. - #3 Queen Creek vs. #2 Chandler.

6 p.m.  - Final - matching semifinal winners