Citizen Staff Writer
RODNEY HAAS
sports@tucsoncitizen.com
The Sabino High School boys soccer team did its damage early Saturday.
Richard Comeaux’s goal in the first minute was enough for Sabino in a 1-0 win over Avondale Agua Fria in the Class 4A Division I quarterfinals at Tucson High.
Using a Jann Nash assist, Comeaux scored off a header, giving the No. 3-seeded Sabercats a semifinal showdown with No. 2 Canyon del Oro on at 7 p.m. Thursday at Tucson High.
“To be one of the last four teams standing is an incredible achievement and certainly I’m looking forward to the opportunity on Thursday,” Sabino coach Jon Pearlman said.
Canyon del Oro cruised to an easy 4-0 win earlier in the day over No. 7 Prescott to set up the showdown of the two Tucson-area boys soccer powers. Sabino beat CDO 3-2 in a shootout on Dec. 1 in the championship game of the Brandon Bean Kickoff Classic.
Saturday, Sabino (17-3-2) missed an opportunity to give keeper Chase Ronsman breathing room when Jeff Weiler’s shot went off the crossbar in the 50th minute.
Agua Fria (16-6-1) missed a golden scoring opportunity to tie the match in the 54th minute when it missed four consecutive shots on goal.
“I give credit to them: Their keeper made some incredible saves and they were in the right place at the right time and with a little bit of luck,” said Agua Fria coach Chris Scotti.
Agua Fria had 12 shots on goal to Sabino’s 10.
Despite the shutout Saturday, Pearlman was quick to point out that plenty of work is needed before playing CDO.
“We are going to have to play much better than this if we’re going to have a chance against CDO,” Pearlman said. “Even though we got the shutout, we let them get too many chances and we really need to work on a couple things.”
No. 2 Canyon del Oro 4, No. 7 Prescott 0: At Tucson High, CDO set up a rematch with Sabino with an easy win over Prescott thanks to a Donny Toia goal and a Nick Marshall hat trick.