NBC 11 Sports: Hawks and Kings soccer battles go down to the wire, Kofa hoops teams roll
YUMA, Ariz., (KYMA, KECY) - Several Yuma battles took the stage Thursday night. Some being decided in the final minutes, while other teams ran away with it early.
It proved to be a fantastic night on the soccer pitch with the Gila Ridge Hawks and Kofa Kings meeting head-to-head on both boys and girls sides. Each of them coming down to one goal.
A more dramatic finish was in the cards on the boys side, ending in a 1-0 game, and the lone goal coming on a penalty kick in favor of the Kings.
Junior captain Nolan Garcia netted the eventual game winner on a PK in the 64th minute en route to a 6-1 start for Kofa, with the Hawks falling to 3-2.
The Kings also avenging last season's loss to the Hawks and taking back the stalemate that saw three ties in a four year span from 2017-2020.
On the girls side, the Hawks would get the last laugh to split the night. Two goals in the first half, would set the tone the rest of the way. Kofa battled hard, getting a much needed goal from Arlene Meza in the 66th minute to keep it close, but could not execute another one late.
Gila Ridge off to a hot start at 5-0, while the Kings drop to 1-1.
On the hardwood, both Kofa basketball squads would roll in a meeting with the San Luis Sidewinders.
The boys got up early and ran away with it, winning 66-14 to improve to 5-1. The Kofa girls were led by 14 points, 6 steals and 3 assists by Amani Montiel, followed by eight points and five boards from Natalia Skladanowska to get back in the win column.
