Goals, goals and goals
Yuma Catholic avoids any missteps in its 3A state tournament opener with a rout
There would be no spoilers for the Yuma Catholic girls soccer team on Wednesday night at home.
The No. 1 Shamrocks (120-1 AIA) didn’t waste much time in handling No. 16 Phoenix Country Day (5-7-1 AIA) in the first round of the 3A State Tournament. YC had five different players score to aid an 8-0 victory.
“It’s something that we’ve talked to the girls about (to be focused).” YC coach Jesus Quintana said. “The regular season is over and this is a different season. We have to come in with a different mentality.”
With 17 shots on goal, the Eagles’ goalie was busy the entire game. Junior Cazzia Salgado scored first in the eighth minute when she took control of a through ball in the box.
That lead was doubled four minute later when senior Natalie Camarena nutmegged the goalie for an easy goal. Camarena finished the game with a hat trick and two assists.
Goals from senior Katie McArdle, Camarena and senior Isela Estrada on a penalty helped the Shamrocks close out the half with a 5-0 lead and all but wrap the game up.
Quintana thought that having so many players get into the action will only make his team tougher as the stakes continue to go up in the coming games.
“That’s the thing with our team, that it’s not just one of two players,” he said. “We developed that over the course of the season because we’ve had some instances where players are no available, or are injured or sick, so other players had to step in.”
He points to freshmen Angelica Pimentel and Victoria Diaz as being some of those newcomers who stepped up this season.
YC’s leading scorer, sophomore Ariana Leamons was able to get two goals in the second half. Her second goal came off of a shot from about 25 yards that the goalie didn’t have a chance at in the 57th.
Camarena scored her team’s final goal of the game in the 64th minute.
Senior Danisia Ellin got the shutout in goal, but she didn’t face a shot on goal.
The win propels the Shamrocks into the quarterfinals at home Saturday against No. 9 Sahuarita.
“We need to make sure that every possession counts and to not get sloppy with our passes,” Quintana said. “We need to keep creating the space.”