YUMA, Ariz. – The Yuma Catholic Shamrocks girls soccer team has impressively rolled through their regular season with an perfect 14-0 record and earning a #2 seed in the Division 3 state tournament.
15th seeded Maryvale wouldn’t be impressed with the Rocks season accomplishments. Even though Y.C. would take the early lead by the foot of Karen Melendrez, the visiting team would tie the game several minutes later thanks to a free kick right outside the Rocks defensive box.
This would only prove to be a a sign of things to come for the rest of the match, as both teams traded goals through both halves to end regulation with a tie score. Y.C. would take the lead in the 2nd overtime period, only to lose their lead when they committed a foul in the penalty area to allow another tying goal with the penalty kick.
The match would then come down to penalty kicks that proved to be equally dramatic. The Rocks would make their first two and appeared to have the match in hand, as the Panthers missed their first two shots. But, an unlikely turn of events happened when Y.C. missed their next two shots while Maryvale was able to capitalize on theirs; tying the PK session at 2 goals apiece! But, then Karen Melendrez delivered on the Rocks 5th PK, setting up the dramatic save by Aryza Olague for the win!
Yuma Catholic will next get to host Fountain Hills at Ricky Gwynn Stadium this Saturday at 2 pm mountain time.