SUNRISE GIRLS SOCCER: Gators keep shooting, top Valley

Green Valley girls soccer coach Catherine Davis might not have liked her team's shot to goal ratio in the opening round of the Sunrise Region tournament on Monday.

But the third-year coach will take an unattractive win over a loss any day.

The Gators fired 17 shots on Monday, including seven on goal, in a 2-0 win over Valley in a Sunrise quarterfinal at Bettye Wilson Park.

Green Valley (17-4-2) will face Southeast League champion Coronado (16-1-2) in the semifinals at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Bettye Wilson.

"Definitely not our strongest start, but we overcame it," Davis said. "Overcame the wind. We were a little bit off to begin. But we just overcame that and pulled out the (win). …

"We definitely missed our fair share of opportunities. We had a lot of good chances, and we fully intend on capitalizing on those on Wednesday."

After taking seven shots in the opening half and having a penalty kick miss far right, Green Valley finally got on the board in the 45th minute on a 35-yard free kick from Chloe Kirson.

Kirson, a junior midfielder, sent a ball from the far left side of the field to the upper right corner of the goal for a 1-0 lead.

The Gators never stopped firing after, taking nine more shots in the second half (six on target). Davis knew it was only a matter of time before another ball went in, as her team dominated possession for most of the game.

"We just had to fire it up," Davis said. "We play some of the best possession soccer in this valley. And you definitely got to see more of that in the second half. We've got to find that rhythm — find that groove — to get it going."

Maggie Bender scored off a corner kick with seven minutes to play to seal the win. Bender's curving ball hit the left post before finding its way in.

"She is such a workhorse," Davis said. "Couldn't have been more well deserved. She worked very, very hard for us all game long, very consistent, constantly transitioning. She made me tired just looking at her a few times."

Kiyana Lopez finished with four saves, including one on a second-half penalty kick, for the Gators. Her diving save on Ryen Darling-Clay's penalty kick two minutes into the second half kept the match scoreless before the offense got going.

"Two-time keeper of the year says it all," Davis said. "She's just an absolute stud for us. A captain. When we are struggling a little bit to come together or get our touch going, she always finds a way to really step it up and center us. She put the team on her back."

Vanessa Marroquin made four saves for Valley (7-4-3), which finished with seven shots.

Davis hopes the offense comes together in time for Wednesday's match. Coronado already has beaten the Gators twice this season.

"We've got this movement and dynamic going, but we've got to fine-tune it," Davis said. "And, definitely, those shots have to go in."

Silverado 2, Basic 0 — Melina Amador ended a defensive battle in the 61st minute, when she sent a laser to the far right post for a goal, and the Skyhawks outlasted the Wolves (5-10-3).

Victoria Bravo added a goal with two minutes left in the match to ice the game for Silverado (10-3-3), which faces Foothill (14-3-1) at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Bravo received a long pass from Kristyn Lommason in the center of the field and outran a defender to set up a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. She gracefully sent the ball to the bottom right post for a 2-0 lead.

Mikaila Becze recorded the shutout.

Coronado 9, Las Vegas 0 — Taylor Kornieck had five goals and two assists as the Cougars stormed out to a 4-0 halftime lead and routed the Wildcats (2-12-3).

Carli Young scored and dished out three assists, and Katelyn Moxley added a goal and one assist for Coronado, which also got goals from Gabby Casas and Emily Wickens. Rachel Morris was in goal for the shutout.

Olivia Meza, the Cougars' second-leading scorer, left the match early with a sprained ankle. Coach Dana Neel said she doesn't expect the junior to miss any time.

Foothill 8, Liberty 0 — Katherine Ballou scored four goals, including three in the first half, and had an assist to power the Falcons by the Patriots (3-7-5).

Alexis Huff added two goals and an assist, and Myriah Epino had a goal and an assist for Foothill.

Hannah Barnett also scored for the Falcons, who led 5-0 at halftime. Darrien Sclafani made eight saves en route to the shutout.