Citizen Staff Writer
HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER
RAYMOND SUAREZ
rsuarez@tucsoncitizen.com
Senior Nick Marshall was the beneficiary of great Canyon del Oro passing, scoring a hat trick in a 3-0 win over Catalina Foothills on Thursday to capture the Class 4A Sonoran Region boys soccer championship.
“From the start, we moved the ball really well,” Marshall said. “The team really set me up. I was lucky to get three goals. That was one of the best games we’ve played.”
Ronald Tadoum assisted Marshall’s first goal in the first minute of the match played at CDO.
Caleb Cristia set up Marshall’s second goal, a header, with a pass from the right corner in the 35th minute.
The University Nevada Las Vegas-bound Marshall got goal No. 3 off a cross from Donny Toia in the 46th minute to cap the scoring.
Marshall said his scoring outburst was all the more surprising considering it came against one of the state’s best goalkeepers, Michael D’Arrigo.
“That’s what college goalkeepers are going to be like,” Marshall said. “He’s one of the best.”
CDO coach Josh Marshall, Nick’s older brother, said the Dorados’ game plan is to stay aggressive and try to score early. “It takes a huge wind out of their sail,” he said.
Foothills managed just four shots on goal.
Coach Julie Walters said her team wasn’t mentally in the game.
“We didn’t have a very good day in a lot of ways,” she said. “I have full confidence that we’ll rebound for Tuesday (the beginning of the Class 4A Division I state tournament).”
Seedings for the playoffs should be released this weekend by the Arizona Interscholastic Association.
CHAMPS
Six Class 4A region soccer champions were crowned Thursday:
Boys
Sonoran: Canyon del Oro 3, Catalina Foothills 0
Kino: Nogales 4, Sabino 3 (8-7 in penalty kicks)
Gila: Catalina 3, Douglas 0
Girls
Sonoran: Catalina Foothills 3, Canyon del Oro 0
Kino: Flowing Wells 3, Sahuaro 2
Gila: Palo Verde 2, Douglas 0
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