Irondwood Ridge standout Bella Santavicca. (Andy Morales/AZPreps365.com)

 

Top seeded Notre Dame Prep won back-to-back state championships in the old Division II state playoffs in 2015 and 2016 but eventual 5A state runner-up Arcadia outlasted the Saints in the semifinal round in PKs last year to deny the squad a chance for three championships in a row. At 16-2-1 overall and 12-0 in games that count, it looks like the Saints are destined for another shot at the top.

Senior standout Lindsay Shipley is leading the charge once again and she is joined be fellow seniors Abby Furtmann, Amelie Young, Anna White and Maddie Stolper. This group of seniors have outscored opponents 40-3 in their last ten games alone. One of those victories was a 1-0 decision over defending 5A state champion Chaparral. The Firebirds (10-2) are seeded No. 3 this year which means there can only be a rematch if the two squads make it to the final game.

“We have two seniors this year after graduating eight last year,” said Chaparral head coach Robyn Carlson. “We have a great mix of experienced returning veteran players with some new players who have really come together to play for each other. They work hard and have good chemistry on and off the field.”

 The Firebirds sport a great group of seniors also.

“The leadership from senior defender Gina Leete and senior forward Chrissy Dunham has helped our season be successful thus far. Gina is a top defender who will be attending Seattle University to play soccer in the fall and Chrissy’s positive attitude mixed with Gina’s determination has pushed these girls to do their best. We have had scoring from many different players because the girls play as a team rather than individuals,” he added.

Notre Dame will face No. 16 Shadow Ridge (8-5) in the first round and Chaparral will host No. 14 Mountain View Marana (5-7-1).

No. 2 Ironwood Ridge (9-2-1) controls the bottom half of the bracket and the Nighthawks fell to Chaparral in PKs in the semifinal round last year.

“We lost five key players off of our 2016-2017 5A state semifinalist team, including our entire midfield and top two goal scorers,” head coach Sean Watkins said. “It’s been quite a process retooling our lineup and adjusting our style of play to meet the abilities of our current roster. Now, our players and coaching staff have a belief in our system and are peaking at the perfect time.”

According to Watkins, senior defender and captain Emma McCormick, senior midfielder and captain Genny Jilka, senior keeper Quinci Black and junior forward and captain Bella Santavicca lead his team. Santavicca has 14 goals and 10 assists.

“Santavicca is an absolute blast to watch play and is definitely a must see! I’m not a fan of comparing young players to professional athletes, but she moves and affects the game similar to Messi both in skill and stature,” Watkins added.

Watkins is in his 11th year with Ironwood Ridge with a record of 183-57-20. He has led the Nighthawks to the state tournament 10 times with two semifinal appearances (2016 and 2017) and a state runner-up finish in 2011.

Ironwood Ridge will host No. 15 Willow Canyon (8-5) in the first round.

No. 4 Arcadia (9-3) is going up against No. 13 Verrado (8-5) in the first round. Arcadia head coach Adam Zweiback offered three reasons for the success of his team this year in relation to the runner-up finish last season:

“A whole bunch of girls stepping up to replace the eight players we lost from last year's state finalist team; Fantastic support from Arcadia's families, administrators and training staff and Implementing our "One Program, Two Teams" philosophy: JV players are the V players of the future!”

Arcadia will face No. 13 Verrado (8-5) in the first round.