Nastia Loughran may only be a sophomore, but the Tanque Verde forward had the ability to focus her emotions like a true veteran Tuesday night while scoring twice to defeat Pusch Ridge 2-0 in a Division IV semifinal.

Pusch Ridge knocked Tanque Verde out of the state playoffs in 2014 and the Lions did it again last year when Loughran was just a freshman. That was the loss that stung the most because the Hawks finished in 16th place but Pusch Ridge won the section and took the last playoff spot even though the Lions finished ranked 22nd.  

"We knew they knocked us out of the playoffs the last couple of years. We had to win," Loughran said. "We are all close friends and this really feels like a family. I wanted this win."

Loughran scored off of a corner kick (Kate Giedraitis) in the 8th minute and again in the 69th.

On the other side, Amy Garelick inherited a team with only two juniors and one senior and gave them hope. The team won the section title in her first year but her reward was a first-round match against mega-power Walden Grove and an expected 6-0 defeat. Then came year two.

Pusch Ridge (12-6) and Tanque Verde (13-4-1) played well enough to earn a home playoff match. True, there would be no fighting for a playoff spot this year, but the stakes were a lot higher - a shot at the Division IV state championship game.

No. 6 Pusch Ridge defeated No. 11 Wickenburg 3-0 in the first round and then upset No. 3 Sedona Red Rock 1-0 in the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, No. 7 Tanque Verde beat No. 10 Apache Junction 3-1 before knocking off No. 2 Thatcher 1-0 to set up the semifinal with Pusch Ridge.

"We set a goal just to make state," said first-year coach Shana Olayvar. "The leadership from our younger players helped us achieve that goal and I knew we just needed a shot. We needed a chance."

Olayvar played football and soccer at Santa Rita before heading off to Cochise and Angelo State. She kicked field goals in her senior year because she heard, "Soccer players made good kickers."

Soccer players also make great coaches.

Garelick has coached at every level from youth to a celebrated coach in the Women's Premier Soccer League. She has won awards at every level possible.

"Tanque Verde is a great team and they will do well," she said. "We had a tough time battling in the first half but came out strong in the second half. We just need to play a whole game.

"These girls work the hardest and are extremely coachable," Garelick added. "They are not afraid of work. They are great kids."

No. 4 Anthem Prep upset No. 1 River Valley 5-0 in the other semifinal to set up a championship match between Tanque Verde and Anthem Prep this Saturday at 11 a.m.

The final will be held at Williams Field High School and will be streamed live on the NFHS Network.