Isabella Duran
ASU Student Journalist

Second-half surge pushes Centennial past Agua Fria

February 25, 2021 by Isabella Duran, Arizona State University


Centennial's forward Maegen Hill prepares to take an open shot during Wednesday's 2-0 victory over Agua Fria. (Isabella Duran photo/AZPreps365)

Isabella Duran is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Centennial High School for AZPreps365.com. 

The Centennial girls soccer team earned its sixth win of the season in a 2-0 win over Agua Fria Wednesday night.

After a scoreless first half, the second half is where the Coyotes (6-2) played the way they have played throughout the season. 

Centennial coach Marc Shrake had one popular phrase he was constantly saying throughout the game. That was, “Find feet.”

Shrake could tell his team was not making their usual solid passes and holding possession of the ball. 

“You have to have the ball in your possession to win games,” Shrake said. 

Finding feet and holding possession of the ball was reinforced during his halftime pep talk. Once the second half started a new Centennial team took the field. 

The Coyotes only had seven shots on goal in the first half, while the Owls (1-9) had two.

Ten minutes into the second half, Leslie Duarte found herself with the ball and could see an open teammate, Liberty Robbins, right in front of the goal. Once Robbins had possession of the ball she took a strong shot on goal and the ball traveled right over the goalkeeper's hands into the back of the net giving the Coyotes a 1-0 lead. 

Co-captain Lexi Williams felt her team was in need and decided to take matters into her own hands to make a play up top. The following shots on goal for the Coyotes were made by Williams. 

“That was a decision on my end," Williams said. "I was still technically playing center back, but I think it is good to do the unexpected sometimes to throw the other team off and I think it is a good way of making plays.” 

The Owls certainly were not ready for Williams to be in the penalty box fighting for the ball to score a goal. 

Centennial's final goal came after Maegan Hill was taken to the ground by an Agua Fria defender right outside the 18-yard box. Hill took a deep breath before launching the ball over the wall of defenders and right under the top of the goal post. 

Agua Fria coach Aaron Chaira was proud of his team for fighting until the last minute. 

“The most important part is that the girls, even though it was 2-0 with two minutes left, they are still fighting and giving it their all,” Chaira said. 

Centennial, which remains undefeated in its region with a 4-0 mark, will host Verrado (5-2-1)  at 6 p.m. Friday.

Agua Fria will travel to Desert Edge (5-3-1) at 6 p.m. Friday.