Citizen Staff Writer
CLASS 5A DIVISION II BOYS SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
ASH FRIEDERICH
ashf@tucsoncitizen.com
TEMPE – Phoenix Pinnacle shocked Rincon/University with a golden goal in the 102nd minute and a 2-1 win in the Class 5A Division II state championship at Arizona State University Soccer Stadium.
Jordan Wade broke down the wing as teammate Kyle Ciliento dribbled down the middle of the field Saturday. After a Ciliento pass, Wade found the ball at his feet at the top of the box.
“It went into overtime and we were all tired and had to fight through it,” Wade said. “I was going to try to put a foot on it. I knew he was going to cross it, so I put myself in the right place.”
Wade took the shot that went over the head of Rincon goalkeeper Tripp Foust and into the back of the net.
“I thought we dominated the game,” Rincon coach Roxanne Taylor said. “They put it in twice and we got one and that is the bottom line. Unfortunately, when you get into the playoffs, only one team goes home happy.”
Rincon, winner of last year’s 4A-I title before moving up in classification, jumped out to a 1-0 lead on Lorenzo Portugal’s goal just outside the penalty area in the 21st minute.
“I got the centered pass and the ball came to me,” Portugal said. “It went off my leg and the defender was coming out and I just shot it and it went in.”
Five minutes later, Ciliento scored off a free kick from 35 yards out to tie the game at 1 in the 26th minute.
Despite Rincon controlling the ball much of the game, the score would remain 1-1 through the rest of the first half, second half and 22 minutes of overtime play.
“We couldn’t finish. That was about it,” Portugal said.