The Pumas advanced into the third round of the state playoffs against the No. 1 ranked Boulder Creek Jaguars (20-2-1) away in in the semi-finals. On Sat. Feb. 8, the lady Pumas (13-5-2) dominated the Basha Bears in the quarter-finals with a 2-0 win.

Ranked No. 7 in the state and Ranked No. 75 nationally, the pumas average 2.600 goals per game with 2.350 assists. During the battle against the Bears, juniors Ashley Dahl and Makenna Dunn scored the team’s two goals, thus leading to the victory.

Dahl expressed her excitement in scoring against their rivals Basha and the crowd roared as Dahl dominated the Basha Defense..

“I was more shocked and I was watching it going in and thought it was going out and I was so excited.” Dahl explained.

Junior goalkeeper Carly Sandstedt preserved the win with six saves, shutting out Basha. Earlier in the week, the pumas defeated O’Connor 4-3 in the first round of playoffs on Feb. 5 where the lady pumas progressed to the quarter-finals.

In the opposing bracket, the ranked No. 2 Pinnacle Pioneers and the No. 10 Xavier College Prep Gators go head on in the second branch semis on Feb. 13 after defeating Gilbert and Chaparral.

With high hopes in advancing into the state finals, the lady pumas look to support from each other and their fans as they take on the Boulder Creek Jaguars on Feb. 13 at 5 p.m. away at Campo Verde High School.

“I feel like if we play are best we have a good chance of advancing through, “ stated Dahl.

Dunn expressed that against Boulder Creek, “I think we will have the intensity and be able to come out on top.”