Sebastian Kupis is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Mountain Ridge High School for AZPreps365.com 

Mountain Ridge and Liberty went back and forth for 80 hard fought minutes in a contested rivalry match to close out the regular season. 

With a penalty, throw-in or successful tackle happening every minute, it was Liberty’s second half heroics that elevated them past the higher ranked Mountain Lions 2-1. 

That final result seemed out of reach for Liberty in the first half, with Ridge playing a lot of their football in their opponent’s half, junior Aryanna Peregrino won and ultimately missed a penalty just minutes into the game.

Filling the rest of the first half with multiple corner kicks, aggressive fouls by both teams and sideline warnings issued to both squads, the ladies left the field with frustration tied 0-0. 

The second half started with a bang thanks to an explosive run and cross by Peregrino, finding sophomore forward Leia Thomas for the opening goal. 

Liberty’s do it all sophomore Sarah Wilson responded with a quick pair of her own goals soon after, putting the game out of reach for the Mountain Lions who went three at the back to make up for their fading attack.

Like he did all season, second year head coach of the Mountain Lions Ryne Jakubos kept things honest with his team after the loss.

“That was a tough one but it’s not like we didn’t have the opportunity, we had multiple opportunities to win this game," Jakubos said. "This is what happens when you play regional games, we still need to clean up some things like free kicks. We have to play easy balls in dangerous areas, the ball can’t head toward our goal, right? Miscommunication.”

With the playoffs around the corner, Jakubos encouraged  his team as they looked toward the start of the playoffs next week. 

“Our practice has to be good, we need to refocus. We gotta take the loss, learn from it, and go, can’t sit here and sulk about this game, we have to move on,” said Jakubos. 

On the other hand, this was a get right game for Liberty and head coach Kyle Pooler after losing to region opponents Pinnacle and Sandra Day O’Connor this past week. 

“Our region is so tough, Ridge beats Boulder Creek, Boulder Creek beats Sandra Day, Sandra Day beats Pinnacle, you know what I mean? Everybody’s back and forth, everybody’s been battling in our region and with the game of soccer you never know who’s going to show up for you and tonight the girls finally started to play the way I know they’re capable of playing,” said Pooler. 

With senior night and a hall of fame ceremony on the docket, it was an emotional backdrop for this match, even for head trainer Kim Rodgers who has been there for it all this year.

“The girls have been amazing, just watching them over the years it's these seniors that  have pulled together, they’ve all really clicked and watching them grow this year has been really fun to watch,” said Rodgers. 

(Jeremy Rasmussen, Jade Carey, Matthew Liberatore, Mackenzie Whitten, Jason Perkins)

Pictured above is Moutain RIdge's 2024 Hall of Fame class, also making the class but not attending includes Ellie McCleave Scott Pestka.