Ortega ties San Luis scoring record, helps Sidewinders advance to championship game for third time in four years

San Luis' strong defense adds another shutout to team's impressive resume

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) - Gio Ortega is on the brink of history while helping the San Luis Sidewinders return to the AIA 6A State Championship for the third time in four years after beating the Pinnacle Pioneers 2-0 on Wednesday night in The Snake Pit.

Midway through the second half, senior forward Gio Ortega opened up the scoring with a bar-down goal from outside the box.

The score marked his 24th of the season, tying a record in San Luis school history for the most goals scored in a season.

Pinnacle threatened late, but Sidewinders goalkeeper Gail Obregon preserved the shutout with multiple saves to deny the equalizer, and San Luis would put the nail in the coffin when Carlos Gamez sent a beautiful through ball to Eric Benavidez who finished a scoring chance at point blank range to extend the lead to two goals.

Despite the decisive victory Wednesday night, San Luis head coach Jesus Rojas said the team remains focused on its ultimate goal of winning the schools first championship.

"First of all, the job is not finished," Rojas said. "We wanted to be there, and now that it's time, we want to take it on, and hopefully with the mentality that they're showing and the competition they are showing, hopefully we can do that on Saturday."

Despite being in the championship game for the third time in four years, the Sidewinders have never been able to get over the hump and win that game.

This year, Rojas says things have been different.

"One of the things that happened this season is that we ended up losing a few games, and I think that helped the kids see how it felt to lose," he said. "They don't want to feel that again."

Rojas also credited the team’s growth and competitiveness throughout the season for preparing them for the moment.

"They push each other, sometimes it would turn chaotic in practice, but that was great, because that's what I wanted to see," Rojas said. "It shows the passion I'm asking from them, and it has been like that the last two games. The defense was amazing today also, and we were able to deliver up front as well."

Ortega said tying the scoring record was meaningful but secondary to the team’s championship pursuit.

"It feels great, not everyone can get to that point," Ortega said. "I'll keep going. Let's see how many goals I can get in the final."

The Sidewinders will face the No. 1 seeded Liberty Lions for the crown on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. at Mesa High School.