Freshman lifts Gators to Sunrise title

Green Valley's girls have plenty of leadership with 13 seniors.

Yet on Monday, it was a freshman who led the Gators.

Kayla Varner scored Green Valley's (19-1) first two goals and added an assist as the Gators won their third straight Sunrise Region title by beating Rancho (13-3-2), 4-0, at Bettye Wilson Park.

The Gators advanced to the Southern Nevada championship game at 6 p.m. Wednesday against Centennial, which downed Bishop Gorman, 3-0, in the Sunset Region final.

"The seniors work hard and provide a lot of leadership," said Varner, who is second on the team in goals and leads the squad in assists. "It makes me want to work even harder to help them."

Varner gave the Gators the only goal they needed seven minutes into the match, sneaking behind the defense to collect a lead pass from Ali Schaefer and scoring with a shot low and inside the left post.

Just past the midway point of the half, Varner struck again, moving in on the left wing and centering a pass in front of the net. The pass hit the leg of a Rancho defender and ricocheted into the net.

"Kayla has had 100 percent effort since she came in," said Green Valley coach William Naftaly. "The seniors have definitely taken her under their wing."

The Rams had only two shots on goal in the first half, both from at least 30 yards away.

Varner set up the Gators' third goal just two minutes into the second half, sliding a pass into the box for senior Liz Billington, who scored with a shot inside the left post.

The Gators added the final goal with only two minutes left in the match as senior Hailey Garrison tucked a shot underneath the crossbar.

Senior goalkeeper Roz Flores made four saves.

• Centennial 3, Bishop Gorman 0 -- The Bulldogs (17-0-3) effectively counter-punched their way past Gorman (15-3), playing solid defense and exploiting offensive chances.

"My four backs just played really well," Centennial coach Bernie Preston said. "They took care of business. Gorman gave us everything we could handle."

Sophie Krauza gave Centennial a 1-0 lead 10 minutes into the match, banging in the rebound of Ashley Mosley's shot that hit the left post.

The Gaels had the better end of the play in the remainder of the half, but managed only two shots on goal.

Centennial goalkeeper Jenna Riddle made a diving save late in the first half to rob Megan Wasiak of a goal.

The Bulldogs scored in transition eight minutes into the second half.

After Gorman misfired on a shot, Centennial quickly moved down field. Julie Owens dropped a pass back for Riley Bassett, who fired a 25-yard shot just inside the right post to make it 2-0.

Bethanie Skelton added the third goal with eight minutes left. Skelton broke in alone on the right wing and blasted a shot just inside the post.

Riddle finished with four saves.

Centennial lost to Palo Verde in the past two Sunset Region finals.

"I feel like a monkey is off our back, definitely," Preston said. "It's nice to have that regional trophy."