Photos: Walden Grove fights back for a 3-1 win over Saguaro in the 4A state semifinals.
The second seeded Red Wolves notched three late in the second half to erase a 1-0 deficit to the No. 11 Sabercats, denying them their third upset of the playoffs, in the state 4A high school soccer playoffs, Sahuarita, Ariz., February 21, 2024.
Walden Grove's Kaela Castro (9), center, and Milana Eyrich (4) rush to Vivien Villarreal (23) after Villarreal slammed home the Red Wolves’ tying goal late in the second half against Saguaro during the state 4A semifinal at Walden Grove High School, Sahuarita, Ariz., February 21, 2024. Villarreal came entered the game in the second half, notching two goals in about 20 minutes, lifting Walden Grove past the Sabercats 3-1 and into the finals.
Walden Grove's Mia Miranda (15) heads the ball away from Saguaro's Alexa Esquivel (20) near midfield in the first half of their state 4A semifinal at Walden Grove High School, Sahuarita, Ariz., February 21, 2024.
Walden Grove's Milana Eyrich (4) heads her way into the Sabercat box against Saguaro's Anisia Ramirez (16), top, and Quinn Busby (4) in the second half of their state 4A semifinal at Walden Grove High School, Sahuarita, Ariz., February 21, 2024.
Walden Grove's Kaela Castro (9), left, hugs Milana Eyrich (4) after she found the net to give the Red Wolves their first lead of the game, 2-1, against Saguaro in the second half of their state 4A semifinal at Walden Grove High School, Sahuarita, Ariz., February 21, 2024.
Walden Grove's Kaela Castro (9) runs down a ball into the Saguaro half during their state 4A semifinal at Walden Grove High School, Sahuarita, Ariz., February 21, 2024.
Walden Grove's Madison Landman (19) clears the ball from in front of Saguaro's Davanee Westrum (17) near midfield in the first half of their state 4A semifinal at Walden Grove High School, Sahuarita, Ariz., February 21, 2024.
Saguaro's Chloe Novack (0) palms away a looping Walden Grove shot in the final minutes of the first half of their state 4A semifinal at Walden Grove High School, Sahuarita, Ariz., February 21, 2024.
Saguaro's Marley Smith (5), left, and Walden Grove's Milana Eyrich (4) collide in the Sabercat box in the second half of their state 4A semifinal at Walden Grove High School, Sahuarita, Ariz., February 21, 2024.
Saguaro's Skylar Jackowell (9) slots home the Sabercats’ goal past Walden Grove’s Savannah Michel (7) and Megan Blatnik (1) in the first half of their state 4A semifinal at Walden Grove High School, Sahuarita, Ariz., February 21, 2024.
The Sabercats rush to celebrate with Saguaro's Skylar Jackowell (9) after she gave the visitors the lead early in the first half of their state 4A semifinal at Walden Grove High School, Sahuarita, Ariz., February 21, 2024.
Walden Grove's Milana Eyrich (4) trips up Saguaro's Quinn Busby (4) trying to steal the ball from behind in the first half of their state 4A semifinal at Walden Grove High School, Sahuarita, Ariz., February 21, 2024.
Walden Grove's Meredith Galus (6) takes the ball off the foot of Saguaro's Davanee Westrum (17) during a midfield tackle in the first half of their state 4A semifinal at Walden Grove High School, Sahuarita, Ariz., February 21, 2024.
Saguaro's Alexa Esquivel (20) heads the ball out of danger in front of Walden Grove's Kaela Castro (9) in the first half of their state 4A semifinal at Walden Grove High School, Sahuarita, Ariz., February 21, 2024.
Walden Grove's Meredith Galus (6) dumps Saguaro's Davanee Westrum (17) and takes the ball in the first half of their state 4A semifinal at Walden Grove High School, Sahuarita, Ariz., February 21, 2024.
Saguaro's Anisia Ramirez (16) tries to head the ball out her box against Walden Grove's Milana Eyrich (4) in the second half of their state 4A semifinal at Walden Grove High School, Sahuarita, Ariz., February 21, 2024.
Saguaro's Anisia Ramirez (16) clears the ball off the foot of Walden Grove's Kaela Castro (9) during the first half of their state 4A semifinal at Walden Grove High School, Sahuarita, Ariz., February 21, 2024.
Walden Grove's Madison Landman (19) puts the ball back into the mixer over Saguaro's Eden Ozuna (10) in the second half of their state 4A semifinal at Walden Grove High School, Sahuarita, Ariz., February 21, 2024.
Walden Grove's Mia Miranda (15) tries to the bring down the ball under pressure from Saguaro's Davanee Westrum (17) in the second half of their state 4A semifinal at Walden Grove High School, Sahuarita, Ariz., February 21, 2024.
Walden Grove's Vivien Villarreal (23) gets mobbed by her teammates after hitting the Red Wolves’ third goal of the night against Saguaro in the second half in a comeback 3-1 win in the state 4A semifinal at Walden Grove High School, Sahuarita, Ariz., February 21, 2024.
Walden Grove's Savannah Michel (7) pokes the ball clear of Saguaro's Rolani Byron (14) during the first half of their state 4A semifinal at Walden Grove High School, Sahuarita, Ariz., February 21, 2024.
Walden Grove's Vivien Villarreal (23) listens with her teammates to the final words from the coaching staff after the Red Wolves came back against Saguaro in the state 4A semifinal at Walden Grove High School, Sahuarita, Ariz., February 21, 2024.
The Walden Grove Red Wolves warm up before taking on Saguaro for the state 4A semifinal at Walden Grove High School, Sahuarita, Ariz., February 21, 2024.
Saguaro's Davanee Westrum (17) elbows her way to the ball through Walden Grove's Mia Miranda (15) in the first half of their state 4A semifinal at Walden Grove High School, Sahuarita, Ariz., February 21, 2024.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
High school soccer: Walden Grove's own Willis Reed? Vivien Villareal does best impression as Red Wolves reach stateNo. 2 Walden Grove (19-0-1) faces No. 4 Salpointe Catholic in the Class 4A girls state soccer championship game Friday at Marana High.