Rio Rancho, Eldorado to meet for 5A girls title

Set pieces were the theme of the Class 5A girls state soccer semifinals on Tuesday afternoon.

A well executed corner kick led to a header that propelled Eldorado into the championship game. A long free kick led to a Rio Rancho goal in the 79th minute and a dramatic victory over the top seed.

The Eagles (18-2-1) beat La Cueva 1-0 and the Rams (16-4-2) edged Volcano Vista 2-1 to set up the 6 p.m. state final on Friday at the University of New Mexico.

No. 4 RIO RANCHO 2, No. 1 VOLCANO VISTA 1: At Volcano Vista, overtime seemed almost a certainty when Kasey Sandoval’s magnificent cross was headed home by teammate Lara Shelle to square this semifinal at 1-all in the very late going.

About two minutes later, Rio Rancho freshman Taylor Roskos shipped a perfectly placed free kick deep into the box. It sailed over the goalkeeper and caromed off the bottom of the crossbar, dropping straight down. Sophia Smith pounced on the loose ball for an easy game-winner, and the Rams toppled the top seed and their District 1-5A rival.

“I saw it hit the crossbar, and I jumped up and headed it in, and I was so happy when it went in the back of the net,” Smith said, adding with a smile, “I did not want to go to overtime. My head was hurting. I wanted it to be over with.”

Roskos also had the first goal for Rio Rancho against the Hawks (17-5). And that lead looked like it would stand up until the late magic from Sandoval.

“We had some letdowns when they scored that equalizer, but we came back hard and fought and Sophia scored an amazing game-winning goal,” Rams coach Jenna Sievers said.

Rio Rancho last appeared in the state final in 2014 and last won it all in 2007.

“I just think it really showed who wanted it today,” said Roskos.

No. 2 ELDORADO 1, No. 3 LA CUEVA 0: At Eldorado, it came down to a perfectly executed set piece.

Sienna Montoya carved a magnificent ball into the box from the corner, and it was met there by Emma Gurule’s head. She misdirected the corner into the net in the 52nd minute and that was the tally that sent the Eagles into the title game for the first time in three years.

“A really, really satisfying win,” Eldorado coach Aaron Forrester said. “They’ve worked really hard this season.”

The corner set piece, said Gurule, has worked for the Eagles this season — just not for her.

“We’ve been practicing them all year,” she said. “I’ve gotten a little dizzy at practice (working on them). So many times.”

This was the third meeting between the rivals this season. Eldorado won twice at home, La Cueva (17-5) beat the Eagles at the APS Complex. The Bears were the defending state champions.

“This game was pretty nervy for us,” Gurule said. “It just feels great to pull out that win.”

The trip to the finals, in a way, is confirmation of the type of team Forrester said he had back in August.

“That was our goal, to win our district, we accomplished that. Then get to the finals, we’ve accomplished that now,” Forrester said.

Forrester said his veteran team should come out ready for the moment Friday night at UNM.

“The biggest thing is, they’ve come together as a team,” he said. “They really support and believe in each other and that’s why we are where we are.”