Gorman’s 19th straight victory nails down berth in 4A semis

With less than a minute to play in the Sunset Region final Saturday, Bishop Gorman boys soccer coach Doug Borgel asked his bench players one question.

"Is this what you want to win?" he asked, implying there might be one or even two more important matches left on the Gaels' schedule.

After the final whistle, it was almost impossible to tell the Gaels had won the region. There was no big celebration, no shouting. Just business as usual for a team that has won 19 straight matches.

Gorman (20-0-1) dominated play between the whistles en route to a 3-0 win over Arbor View (11-5-5) at Bettye Wilson Park. The Gaels will play Bishop Manogue in a state semifinal at 6 p.m. Friday in Reno.

"We didn't need a dog pile today. Our goal is to win the state title," Borgel said.

Arbor View managed only two shots on goal, though the Aggies attempted 12 shots as Gorman's defense kept quality chances to a minimum.

"That's the most underrated part of our team," Borgel said. "Our sweeper, Connor Zanoni, could go straight to (Major League Soccer). Our keeper has been solid all year."

Gorman goalkeeper Jake O'Rourke made both saves for the shutout and directed the Gaels' defense well.

"Our defense knows how to play," O'Rourke said. "We've just gotten better every game."

Gorman scored 10 minutes in when Shane Thompson's free kick from 20 yards got through the Aggies' defense.

The Gaels made it 2-0 four minutes into the second half when Sean Zaher headed in Fuzzy Orellana's corner kick.

Arbor View had five shots in the final 35 minutes, but none on goal. The Aggies either fired wide from tough angles or sailed shots over the crossbar.

The Gaels closed the scoring late when Orellana cleaned up a double-deflection in front.

SUNRISE REGION

Senior striker Joaquin Rivas struggles to explain how he does what he does on a soccer field.

Everyone else struggles to describe how important he has been to Las Vegas' boys team.

Rivas had three goals and an assist to lift the Wildcats over Valley 4-1 in the Sunrise Region final at Bettye Wilson Park. Las Vegas (15-4), the defending Class 4A state champion, will face Douglas in a state semifinal at 4 p.m. Friday in Reno.

"I don't know. I'm just always at the right spot, I guess," Rivas said.

Rivas put the finishing touches on a Sunrise Region tournament in which he scored six of Las Vegas' 11 goals and had three assists.

"Joaquin is the greatest. He's like a god," goalkeeper Roger Zaragoza said. "I don't know what we'd do without him."

Rivas needed only three minutes to influence Saturday's outcome. He was in front of the net to bury a cross from Ruben Amezcua, giving Las Vegas a lead it never gave up.

"We obviously have a great finisher," Las Vegas coach Vince Hart said. "He's a big-game player."

Erick Fedde headed in Rivas' corner kick late in the first half for a 2-0 lead.

But Rivas' best work came early in the second half. On the restart after a teammate was issued a red card that forced the Wildcats to play a man down for the remainder of the match, Rivas stuck home a rebound after Angel Martinez's shot glanced off the post.

Bruno Carrillo answered for Valley (11-5-5) before Rivas got his third goal, finishing a give-and-go with Ivan Chamorro.

CLASS 3A BOYS

Virgin Valley won the Class 3A Southern League championship with a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Boulder City.

Senior midfielder Joel Medina scored the winning goal in the 76th minute.

Boulder City took an early 2-0 lead on goals by Garrett Andrade and Trevor Montgomery.

An own goal hurt the Eagles with two minutes left in the first half, putting Virgin Valley on the board. Carlos Cano tied the match in the second minute of the second half.

CLASS 3A GIRLS

Leeanne Allison scored 10 minutes into overtime as White Pine stunned Boulder City in the Class 3A Southern League final.

Melissa Stewart spotted Boulder City a 1-0 lead two minutes into the match. White Pine's Kelsie Fullmer tied it midway through the second half.

That goal sparked a barrage of shots on both ends, with Sophia Valle putting the Eagles ahead 2-1 in the 66th minute.

The Bobcats countered quickly as striker Sierra Harris fought through the Boulder City back line before beating the keeper in the 80th minute.