Cibola girls soccer rallies past Cesar Chavez in 6A play-in

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Raiders are still dancing.

In a crucial 6A play-in matchup, Cibola overcame an early two-goal deficit to defeat Cesar Chavez 4-3 and keep their postseason hopes alive.

Cesar Chavez, making the trip from Phoenix, struck first and built a 2-0 lead, putting the Raiders on their heels early. But Cibola refused to fold.

Sophomore Layla Lugo ignited the comeback in the 10th minute, cutting the deficit to 2-1 and shifting the momentum. The Champions kept things tight defensively, with Trinity Olivas coming up with a key stop and clearance to prevent another Raider scoring chance.

Still trailing 2-1, freshman Kendra Cortazar-Pompa stepped up in a big moment. After drawing a foul, she blasted a free kick top shelf, bar down, to even the match at 2-2 — sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

And she wasn’t finished.

Cortazar-Pompa later pulled up from distance and buried another long-range strike past the keeper, capping a three-goal surge for Cibola. The Raiders eventually built a 4-2 lead in the first half after scoring three straight goals.

Goalkeeper Martina Garcia rebounded after allowing two early scores and steadied things in the second half, surrendering just one more goal to help secure the 4-3 victory.

After the match, Lugo and Cortazar-Pompa credited their chemistry and hard work for the comeback win.

Cibola now advances to face Sandra Day O’Connor in the first round of the 6A postseason.