Arbor View's boys soccer team completed a dramatic turnaround, winning the Class 5A Southern Region title one year after missing the playoffs entirely. The Aggies (14-8-3) secured the championship with a 5-4 penalty shootout victory after a 2-2 tie, earning the South's top seed and a state semifinal against Sparks, the North's No. 2 seed, at 5 p.m. Friday at Faith Lutheran.
Coach Robert Starbird credited the competitive 5A Southern schedule for preparing his team. "The 5A here in Southern Nevada really helps because every game means something and every game's a battle," Starbird said. "There's no days off. That really helps going into a tournament like this where you got to take every team seriously." Senior goalkeeper Aaden Flores and forward Desmond Guevara (17 goals) lead a senior class seeking redemption after last year's postseason absence.
In the other 5A semifinal at 6:45 p.m. Friday, Palo Verde (16-5-2) faces Northern champion Hug. The Panthers have lost to Hug in the semifinals the past two seasons after defeating them for the 2021 5A title. Coach Scott Hunt emphasized the importance of "dirty work" — winning 50/50 balls, headers and loose balls. Sophomore O'Brian Vera (12 goals) and Parker Turner (11 goals) lead Palo Verde's attack.
Palo Verde's girls team enters the 4A state tournament at Spring Valley High School as the No. 1 seed after a 4-1 Southern Region final win over Sierra Vista. The Panthers (17-3) play Reno High at 5 p.m. Friday, while Sierra Vista (18-3) faces Northern champion Galena at 6:45 p.m. Both championship games are scheduled for Saturday.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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