Reno Huskies advance to state soccer final after 4-2 win over Palo Verde

Palo Verde entered Friday's state 4A girls soccer semifinal with a winning record that dated back to August 27. The Panthers lost that momentum on the road against the Northern Region's No. 2 seed, Reno, in a 4-2 defeat at Spring Valley.

Reno, known as the Huskies, advanced to the final by outscoring the Southern Region's top seed. Junior Sadie Thompson gave Reno the lead roughly seven minutes into the match. Senior forward Caitlynn Nick, a committed player for St. Mary's, responded in the 24th minute with a long-distance strike that cleared the reach of Reno goalkeeper Margaret Cliffe. Palo Verde goalkeeper Jovie Wikler made key saves to keep the game tied at the break.

Reno took control in the second half after Cliffe denied Nick and junior forward Olivia Gastwirth. Cliffe blocked a line drive from Nick ten minutes into the second half and swatted away a shot from Gastwirth a minute and a half later. Mia Concha scored the go-ahead goal in the 15th minute of the second half. Lia Ferretto and Violet Gordon added late goals to extend the lead to 4-1. Nick scored her second goal on a penalty kick shortly before the end of regulation.

Palo Verde coach Pedram Mahinpey said the loss was disappointing but not a reflection of effort. "It’s disappointing to come up short tonight, but it wasn’t due to a lack of effort," Mahinpey said. "Some of the little things didn’t go our way tonight, but I just couldn’t be prouder of them."

In the other semifinal, Sierra Vista defeated Galena 2-1. Galena, the Northern Region's No. 1 seed, struck first midway through the first half. Junior midfielder Paige Canty scored after the ball deflected off the hands of Sierra Vista goalkeeper Kennedy Zirkel. The Grizzlies maintained pressure for most of the first half. Sierra Vista tied the game four minutes into the second half on a goal from sophomore forward Arianna Ruiz, the team's leading scorer. Senior midfielder Sophia Aragon scored the winner in stoppage time.

Aragon described the moment as a chance she recognized on the field. "I just saw the opportunity," Aragon said. "Me and my team, we’ve been working really hard for this moment and tomorrow, we’re gonna go to the finals and show what we’ve got."

Reno will face Sierra Vista at 10 a.m. Saturday for the state title.