Pusch Ridge beat Phoenix Country Day 2-0 at home Wednesday night to advance to the quarterfinal round of the 3A state playoffs for the first time since 2016 when the program made it to the semifinal round. It might be a bit more difficult to get to the semis this year with top-seeded Northwest Christian (13-0) standing in the way, however.

The Crusaders won it all in 2019 but found themselves on the outside last year after suffering an upset in the quarterfinal round as a 2-seed. NW Christian appears to be unstoppable this winter, outscoring opponents 125 to 5 for an average of almost 10 goals scored a game. The Crusaders beat No. 16 Tempe Prep 8-1 Wednesday night to set up the home-match against No. 8 Pusch Ridge (10-2-2) on Saturday at noon.

Sophomore Audrey Katsel entered the game off the bench and she put the Lions on the board a couple minutes later in the 12th minute and then Sr. Ellie Robinson used her speed to pass a defender on a breakaway and she put the ball away for the 2-0 lead in the 37th. Robinson hit the crossbar later in the match but shots were low on either side with the Lions holding an unofficial 11-6 advantage in that category.

No. 9 Phoenix Country Day ended the season with a 7-5-1 record.

There was a huge upset in the 3A Conference with No. 15 AZ College Prep beating No. 2 Veritas Prep 0-0 (2-1) in the bottom half of the bracket. The Falcons finished their season with a 9-1-3 record.

 

SOCCER BRACKET BUSTERS

 

3A: No. 15 AZ College Prep beat No. 2 Veritas Prep 0-0 (2-1) and No. 13 ALA Gilbert beat No. 4 Fountain Hills 2-1.

 

4A: No. 9 Lee Williams beat No. 8 Seton Catholic 1-0 and No. 12 Sahuarita beat No. 5 Thunderbird 2-0.

 

5A: No. 13 Cactus Shadows beat No. 4 Cienega 0-0 (5-4) and No. 11 Desert Mountain beat No. 6 Horizon, 2-1.

 

6A: No. 11 Liberty beat No. 6 Hamilton 3-1 and No. 10 O’Connor beat No. 7 Desert Vista 4-2