At least two Tucson-area soccer teams will be playing for state championships on Saturday, and they might not be alone.
Eight local squads are playing in this week’s state semifinals after winning in the second round on Saturday.
The marquee matchup Tuesday night features top-seeded Salpointe Catholic going against No. 4 Ironwood Ridge with a trip to the girls Division II championship match on the line. Meanwhile, Tanque Verde and Pusch Ridge Christian are facing off in the girls Division IV semifinals.
Here’s a look at each semifinal matchup involving Tucson-area teams:
Girls Division II state semifinals
No. 1 Salpointe Catholic vs. No. 4 Ironwood Ridge
When: Tuesday, 7 p.m.
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Where: Tucson High School, 400 N. Second Ave.
The lowdown: These teams met on Jan. 26 and Salpointe held on for a 1-0 win in overtime. I-Ridge has logged back-to-back shutouts since then, to pull within one win of its first state championship appearance since 2011. The Lancers are trying to reach the state finals for the first time since 2001.
No. 3 Scottsdale Notre Dame vs. No. 7 Catalina Foothills
When: Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Where: Phoenix Arcadia High School, 4703 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix
The lowdown: This is a rematch of the semifinals from a year ago, when Notre Dame outlasted Foothills in penalty kicks before going on to win the state championship. This meeting should be just as fun, with Olivia Lai and the Falcons riding a seven-match unbeaten streak and Notre Dame having won 11 straight.
Boys Division III state semifinals
No. 2 Flowing Wells vs. No. 6 Phoenix Cortez
When: Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Where: Tucson High School, 400 N. Second Ave.
The lowdown: The Caballeros suffered their lone regular-season loss against Catalina on Jan. 22 but have since rattled off five straight wins to pull within one victory of their first championship appearance. Now Flowing Wells has to just get past Cortez, which is two years removed from winning back-to-back titles.
Girls Division III state semifinals
No. 1 Phoenix North Canyon vs. No. 4 Palo Verde
When: Tuesday, 6 p.m.
Where: Phoenix Xavier High School, 4710 N. Fifth St., Phoenix
The lowdown: Junior forward Jackie Igulu posted yet another hat trick on Saturday as the Titans won their fifth straight match. North Canyon, which finished the regular season 12-0, is the only thing standing between Palo Verde and its third championship game appearance in the last 10 years.
Boys Division IV state semifinals
No. 2 Pueblo vs. No. 6 Glendale Prep
When: Wednesday, 5 p.m.
Where: Tucson High School, 400 N. Second Ave.
The lowdown: The Warriors kept cruising on Saturday and have scored 12 goals in two postseason matches, five of which have come from sophomore forward Rafael Torres. Pueblo takes a nine-match winning streak into its semifinal showdown and can move on to its first championship match with a victory.
Girls Division IV state semifinals
No. 6 Pusch Ridge Christian vs. No. 7 Tanque Verde
When: Tuesday, 5 p.m.
Where: Tucson High School, 400 N. Second Ave.
The lowdown: It took a pair of second-round upsets to set up this showdown and now the winner moves on to Saturday’s state championship match in Gilbert. Tanque Verde topped Pusch Ridge back on Dec. 18, but the Lions have since won eight of their last 10 matches. Tanque Verde knocked off second-seeded Thatcher on Saturday for its fifth straight win.
Contact high school sports coordinator Daniel Gaona at 807-7761 or dgaona@tucson.com. On Twitter: @DanielGaona13
