SUNSET REGION: Wingender’s bender helps Gorman break Shadow Ridge
She may not be David Beckham, but Bishop Gorman sophomore Haley Wingender can certainly “bend it,” too.
Wingender perfectly bent a corner kick inside the far Shadow Ridge goal post in the 24th minute, and the Gaels went on to blank the Mustangs 2-0 in the opening round of the Sunset Region girls soccer tournament Monday at Bettye Wilson Park.
Amanda Kaufman added a second-half goal for Gorman (14-1-1), which advanced to play Palo Verde in the semifinals at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
“Shadow came out ready to play, real physical and ready to go,” Gorman coach Lora Feely said. “Second half, they came out strong, and we kind of came out flat. But we got that first goal the first half to get us a start.”
The Gaels outshot the Mustangs 9-3 in the first half, including putting four shots on goal, but Shadow Ridge took advantage of a new Gorman defensive formation to mount a second half charge.
“They definitely came out that second half. We changed formation in the second half, and then quickly changed right back,” Feely said. “They were coming at us, in the end. They were dangerous with their free kicks, about 30 yards out, and they had a couple of chances like that.
Kaufman redirected a cross from Courtney Beckwith into the back of the net in the 61st minute to clinch the win for Gorman.
“We really needed that second goal, so we could kind of relax,” Feely said.
Kaylee Vitale came up with three big saves in the final 40 minutes, including a dangerous free kick in the 47th minute from 25 yards out. The junior goalkeeper finished with four saves to earn the shutout.
Shadow Ridge (8-7-1) also rang a free kick off the crossbar in the 66th minute.
“The defense did what they were supposed to do,” Feely added. “They marked them tight. We shut them down. I still think it was a bit too close for me, but it was a good match.”
Palo Verde 6, Bonanza 1 — Sila Tuiofea notched two goals in each half to send the Panthers (15-1-2) into the Sunset Region semifinals.
Kori Jeffries scored less than a minute into the match, and Palo Verde never looked back.
“I told them, right from the start, get it done early,” Palo Verde coach Frank Messina said. “Finish this game early and we can relax. I don’t want any more nail-biters this season; I’m done with the nail-biters.”
Lauren Kaskie added a goal and three assists for the Panthers.
Alyssa Kleiner tallied two assists for Palo Verde.
Bree Hammel scored for Bonanza (6-8-3).
Arbor View 9, Western 1 — Falon Miller had three goals and two assists, and Dakota Olson added three goals and an assist as the Aggies (15-1-1) cruised to an easy win over the Warriors.
Tori Dunn, Gabby DeLeon and Tara LeBaron also scored for Arbor View, which got two assists from McKenzie Karas.
Maria Ramirez scored Western’s (7-6-4) lone goal.
Centennial 7, Spring Valley 0 — Debbie McLaughlin and Sophie Krausa scored two goals apiece as the Bulldogs (14-3-1) cruised past Spring Valley (10-5-1).
Bethanie Skelton added a goal and two assists for Centennial, which also got goals from Faith Johannes and Jordyn Rolling.
Natalie Gilbertson recorded the shutout for the Bulldogs, who will meet Arbor View at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
