High school boys soccer: Douglas just misses title game, eyes future

Despite a goal from junior Mario Gastelum in the third minute, seventh-seeded Douglas fell to Scottsdale Coronado 2-1 in the Division III semifinals Tuesday night at Phoenix Arcadia.

Douglas was bidding for its third boys soccer state championship since 2006.

"They put forth a real good effort to get to this point," Douglas coach Ken Cormier said. "It will take some time for them to realize this, but making it to the semifinals is a great accomplishment.

"They're very disappointed right now, but hopefully they can gain some perspective as time goes on."

After Gastelum's goal, Coronado tied it up with a goal in the 10th minute.

The game remained even until eight minutes left, when Coronado scored the game-winning goal.

Cormier said the score came after his keeper, Rene Moran, made a save on a breakaway. Some of the Douglas defenders thought the ball went out of bounds after the save, setting up a corner kick.

Instead, the refs said the ball never went out and Coronado converted on a rebound goal.

"We were too far away from it to get a good view," Cormier said. "But, some of our guys felt like it went out of bounds before the goal."

Moran had six saves as Douglas finished with a 17-7 record.

Cormier said he's already excited about next year's squad. The veteran coach said the Bulldogs will have about four spots to fill, thanks to graduating seniors, but they will return a strong core group.

He said his two main players next year will be defender Luis Teran, who served as a junior captain this year, and sweeper Javier Buelna.

Also, Cormier said, the Bulldogs' junior varsity and freshman teams didn't lose a game this season.

State soccer schedule

A look at the semifinal matchups involving Southern Arizona teams.

Boys

Today - Division II

• No. 6 Catalina Foothills vs. No. 7 Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep, 5 p.m., at Phoenix Paradise Valley

• No. 5 Salpointe Catholic vs. No. 1 Glendale Apollo, 7 p.m., at Phoenix Paradise Valley

Girls

Today - Division III

• No. 4 Chandler Seton Catholic vs. No. 1 Palo Verde, 7 p.m., at Phoenix Arcadia

Thursday - Division II