SUNRISE GIRLS SOCCER: Thomas leads Cougars to second consecutive region title

Coronado’s Michaela Morris draws plenty of attention and for good reason, as the senior leads the area’s Division I girls soccer players with 43 goals.

But when defenses pay too much attention to Morris, the team’s other striker, Ashley Thomas, can make them pay.

That’s what happened on Saturday, as Thomas had a goal and an assist to lead the Cougars to a 2-1 victory over Green Valley in the Sunrise Region title game at Heritage Park.

“Ashley’s been a solid player for us all year,” Coronado coach Dana Neel said. “She’s played well with Michaela up top, and they’ve kind of found a groove, the two of them, to play off each other. And when Michaela’s being swarmed by players, Ashley comes through and finishes it.”

With the game tied 1-1, Morris made a run down the middle, then left the ball for Thomas, who hit a left-footed shot for a 2-1 lead with about six minutes to go in the first half.

“It took us a while to get into our possession game that we normally play, but we were able to connect when we needed to connect and score the goals and hang onto it there at the end,” Neel said.

The Cougars (15-7) took the lead in the 19th minute when Taylor Kornieck ran onto a pass from Thomas and drilled a right-footed shot to the far post from just inside the 18-yard box.

Though Morris didn’t touch the ball, she still played a key role on the play, making a run to the right side and drawing defenders away from Kornieck.

“We know that she’s a threat on the field,” Neel said. “And whether we use that to score goals for us or in other ways, she’s a big player for us, a key player.”

Green Valley (16-5-4) wasted no time answering Kornieck’s goal, as the Gators scored immediately after the restart. Alexis Kirson settled the ball at the top of the box, turned inside and ripped a right-footer inside the right post to tie the game.

The Gators continued to push until the end, and they nearly tied it in the final minute when Kirson slipped the ball ahead to Sydney Holborrow. Holborrow outran a defender and hit a strong shot, but Coronado goalkeeper Shannon Heenan was able to snag the ball just before the final whistle.

“She has played with confidence all tournament, and we saw it at the end making that save,” Neel said of Heenan. “That could have been the game-changer right there. And confident as can be she made the play and distributed the ball just like nothing had happened.”

The game was delayed 26 minutes in the first half after Green Valley defender Mamie Williams went down with a serious knee injury. Athletic trainers treated Williams on the field before she was transported to the hospital by ambulance.

The Cougars advance to the state tournament, which begins Friday at Heritage Park.

“This group is prepared for it,” Neel said. “It’s been in the plan all year. We’re just another step closer to accomplishing our goal.”

Green Valley plays Palo Verde (14-4-4) at 6 p.m. on Monday at Clark for the final berth at state.

“Green Valley gave us a good game today,” Neel said. “It’s by far the best we’ve seen Green Valley. It made it more stressful for us.”