Verrado Girls Soccer Defeats Catalina Foothills on Penalty Kicks

Not too many of people would have been surprised if the Catalina Foothills Falcons girls soccer team defeated Verrado today in the Div. II championship game.  On paper, the four-time defending state champions and number one seeded Falcons seemed to have advantage over Verrado Vipers, the number two seed, who were appearing in their first state championship game having lost in the semifinals the past two years.
Well, the game is not played on paper and, despite domination by Catalina Foothills throughout the game, Verrado eeked out a victory on penalty kicks after holding the Falcons scoreless with a combination of outstanding play by goalkeeper Shea Smith, a defensive strategy that frustrated Catalina Foothills and a crossbar that deflected no fewer than five shots.
With neither team able to score in 110 minutes of regular time and overtime, the game came down to penatly kicks. With Catalina Foothills kicking first, and making the first goal, Verrado had to try to keep pace to preserve its chance at the win; however, Junior Sierra Smith's shot sailed over the crossbar and Verrado fell behind 0-2 as Catalina made the shot.  The shots continued until the Falcons were leading 3-2 in penalties when a Catalina Foothills shot off the left post, two saves by Shea Smith and a goal by Verrado's Kristen Miller tied the scoring at three penalty kicks apiece.
The opportunity for the win was to come off the foot of Verrado Junior Taylor Desanti, who kicked the ball to the goalkeepers right. The keeper attempt to deflect the ball away with a kick, but the ball found the net and Verrado's celebration was on.
With the victory the Lady Vipers won the schools first state soccer championship, and the schools second team win with the Spiritline having won state previously.