Sanchez, Wildcats surge to state title

Several lofty words could have summed up Danny Sanchez's performance for Las Vegas on Saturday at Bettye Wilson Park.

Coach Vince Hart chose an awfully good one, though.

"He was magic," Hart said.

Sanchez scored two goals, including the eventual game winner, and had an assist as Las Vegas rallied from a 2-1 second-half deficit to beat Galena 4-2 for the school's first Class 4A boys soccer state championship.

Sanchez's speed gave Galena fits. His accuracy frustrated the Grizzlies. His scoring ability buried Galena, which entered the match having allowed only 19 goals all year.

"It was all about teamwork, and we were patient," Sanchez said. "I've never been this far. To get this far and then win it is just incredible."

Hart said: "We're part of the elite teams now. It was just the right time for this group to win a state championship."

After Wildcats teammate Joaquin Rivas tied the match at 2 on a penalty kick in the 51st minute, Sanchez put Las Vegas ahead for good five minutes later. He collected Jaime Toscano's cross from along the end line and fired a shot into the lower left corner of the net.

In the 65th minute, Sanchez controlled a loose ball near midfield, stepped around two Galena defenders and slid a pass ahead to Michael Boldry. Boldry sidestepped one more defender in the box and scored with a shot into the lower right corner of the net.

With less than 10 minutes remaining, Sanchez almost pulled off a highlight-reel play, beating four Galena defenders before having the ball taken away just as he was about to shoot.

"Their speed was huge up top," Galena coach Marco Merlo said.

The Grizzlies were understandably tired, having beaten Bishop Gorman in penalty kicks after the teams played 110 scoreless minutes Friday night.

But even after falling behind in the second minute when Sanchez headed in Ricky Suazo's deep cross, the Grizzlies gained a 2-1 lead.

Dylan Neff knocked in a rebound of a free kick in the 10th minute, and the Grizzlies went ahead when a throw-in early in the second half deflected off two Wildcats and into the net.

Rivas tied the match three minutes later, blasting in the penalty-kick goal after a teammate was tackled in the box.

Galena had two quality scoring chances stopped by Wildcats backup goalkeeper Braxton Boyer in the closing minutes, including a save on a penalty kick.

Contact reporter Bartt Davis at bdavis@ reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5230.