Ketelsen’s startling strike lifts Palo Verde into Sunset final

Palo Verde boys soccer coach Garry Shackley insisted his team didn’t get a fortunate bounce, though some onlookers at Heritage Park on Wednesday might see it another way.

What isn’t up for debate is the quality of Jaden Ketelsen’s finish.

“It was an amazing strike,” Shackley said.

Ketelsen scored late in the first half, and the Panthers held off Shadow Ridge 1-0 in the Division I Sunset Region semifinals.

The Panthers (14-5-2), the defending region champion, will face Cimarron-Memorial (15-3-2) in a rematch of last year’s region final at 10 a.m. Saturday at Heritage Park. Cimarron defeated Arbor View 3-1 in the other semifinal.

“We’ve got the train rolling finally now,” said Shackley, in his first season at Palo Verde. “I think at the beginning of the season we were hopeful that this would be the case with the squad of players that we have. It’s nice to do it, but I think at the moment we’re only at the point where we are realizing the potential that’s actually there within the team.

“I don’t think we’re overachieving. I think we’re there on merit.”

Palo Verde, which split two Southwest League games with the Mustangs (10-6-1), created the best chances in the opening 20 minutes of the first half and finally broke through in the 33rd minute.

Presten Manthey pressured Shadow Ridge defender Jarrel Yapching near the top of the 18-yard box and deflected his attempted clearance. The ball ricocheted right to Ketelsen, and he fired a shot past Mustangs goalkeeper Nathan Kramer before the ball hit the turf.

“When somebody puts himself on the line to block a clearance, then you are hoping it will fall your way,” Shackley said. “That was not an easy finish. From that position, to strike that on the volley like he did and put so much power into it, I thought someone fired it out of a cannon.”

Shadow Ridge dominated possession in the second half and generated a handful of quality scoring chances, but was unable to beat Panthers goalkeeper Nishesh Yadav (six saves). The Mustangs’ best opportunity to tie the game came in the 80th minute when Alejandro Pacheco found Jack Guynn unmarked in the penalty area, but Guynn’s shot sailed harmlessly over the crossbar.

“I’m extremely pleased with the defensive effort,” Shackley said. “When they set their minds to it, they are difficult to score against. I thought they dealt with a tremendous amount of pressure very well.”

Contact reporter David Schoen at dschoen@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidSchoenLVRJ.