Palo Verde stays perfect in Northwest League with victory at Centennial

It was a scoreless first half, but Palo Verde girls soccer coach Frank Messina had just one thought at halftime in his team’s match against Centennial on Tuesday afternoon.

“You guys are dominating the field,” he told his players.

That dominance eventually turned to goals.

Carlee Giammona got the Panthers off the schneid with a penalty kick in the 57th minute, and the defending Sunset Region champions relied on a staunch defense in their 2-0 road win at Centennial.

“We definitely were able to possess and move it around (in the first half),” Messina said. “We made good combinations to move it around the field and to kind of throw them a little off balance.

“We kept it on their half, I would say 80-20. I was very happy with that.”

The Panthers had eight shot attempts in the first half, including three on target, but didn’t get on the board until the second half when sophomore Madison Hernandez was fouled in the box and Giammona stepped up for the kick.

Giammona, who had just hit the left post on a free kick minutes before, fired the penalty kick just inside the right post for a 1-0 lead.

Hernandez extended the lead 10 minutes later, taking a pass from Sloan Nelson on the left side of the field and converting a goal of her own to make it 2-0 for Palo Verde (6-1, 3-0 Northwest League).

Palo Verde finished with seven corner kicks and 18 shot attempts — nine on goal.

But Messina credited his team’s defense, particularly the play from his two outside backs — Katelyn Fann and Reighna Werner — for limiting Centennial’s chances and keeping standout players Marcella Brooks and Quincy Bonds at bay.

“I told them pregame and the last couple of days that you definitely have to contain (Brooks) and hold her up and just not let her shoot,” Messina said. “I think we did a pretty good job in doing that. … I also told the team about containing Quincy Bonds on the wing and not letting her get past us and keeping her out in front.”

Taylor Rath, who finished with four saves, earned the shutout for Palo Verde. The sophomore made a key diving save in the 55th minute to keep Centennial’s Dona Acierto from scoring, and also blocked a rebound shot attempt from Molly Rosas with three minutes remaining to keep the shutout intact.

Addison Riddle made seven saves for Centennial (5-2, 3-1 Northwest).

“Their defense did a good job containing us,” Centennial coach Kristina Kasten said. “Their midfield did a great job of moving and making spaces and opportunities, and really, just making passes around us. They’re good at that.”

Contact reporter Ashton Ferguson at aferguson@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0430. Follow @af_ferguson on Twitter.