NBC 11 Sports: Sidewinders chase for perfection well within reach in win at Kofa
YUMA, Ariz., (KYMA, KECY) - With just two games remaining in the regular season, the San Luis boys soccer team made their way to Kofa Monday night - less than a week away from potentially ending the year at (13-0).
After a 5-0 win over the Kings just three weeks ago, the Sidewinders were sitting pretty to slide into Gila Ridge Thursday with perfection 80 minutes away.
But it wouldn't be that easy.
The Kings came in much more tougher and prepared than they were in early January and gave the Sidewinders a run.
A late first half goal by Josh Quezada on a controversial no-call lifted the Sidewinders to a one-goal lead, and it would take most of the second half to strike again. While the ball was controlled in the San Luis offensive part of the field most of the way, Kofa had some chances to even it up.
After a couple of missed opportunities, the Sidewinders finally struck gold to put the game away with less than 10 minutes to go on a Sebastian Noriega free kick following a hand ball just outside the box.
In the end, San Luis closed it out for the 2-0 win to improve to (12-0) and stay perfect.
Despite the tough loss, the Kings still control their destiny and have a chance to clinch a state playoff spot and the 5A Central Valley Region title with a win over Youngker on Friday. Three of Kofa's four losses on the year have come to San Luis and Cibola who sit in 6A, giving them a good position in the 5A bracket moving into the post season.
Meanwhile, in the girls game earlier in the night, the Kofa Lady Kings held down on defense on their way to a 2-0 win. The win for the Kings keeps them in the fight for postseason play. Heading into the day, they ranked No. 24 in 5A, which would be the last spot, going on the road in the play-in tournament if the season were to end today.
