A little arithmetic paid off for the South girls Thursday when they beat West Valley in a shootout after a scoreless double overtime, winning 1-0 in a Alaska School Activities Association's state tournament quarterfinal.
The Wolverines include a penalty-kick drill at each of their practices, and coach Brian Ferrell keeps track of each player's shooting percentage.
So when it came down to a shootout at Anchorage Football Stadium, Ferrell knew which five girls to trust with the ball.
The fourth-seeded Wolverines -- last year's state runner-up -- missed their first and third kick, but goals by Whitney Velez, Lexy Cardwell and Bailey Butcher were enough to overcome West Valley's two goals by Erica Veazey and Shelby Solomon.
South goalkeeper Lara Campbell dove to her right to block West Valley's final attempt, by Jaime Sawchuck, to seal the victory.
"I was more comfortable (with the shootout kicks) than previous seasons because we practice PKs every practice," said Campbell, who said shootouts are usually gut-wrenching.
"Some (goalies) try to read the kicker, but I just sort of react."
The speedy reactions by Campbell, who will play for the University of Denver this fall, produced three shootout blocks Thursday and furnished 11 shutouts this season.
After an even first half in which each team made two shots on goal, the Wolverines began skirting the Wolfpack's stingy defense, attempting four second-half shots on goal while West Valley managed two.
"We didn't know how to play them at first," said Campbell. "But in the second half and overtime we got more chances in front of the net."
South managed two strikes on the goal posts -- once by Butcher's kick off the right pole 10 minutes into the second half, and once by Rochelle Fields' header off the crossbar in the second 10-minute overtime.
"I hate to win it (with shootout kicks)," said Ferrell. "But I'll take it."
In today's semifinals, South faces defending state champ Service, which defeated the Wolverines 3-2 in last year's title match.
"They're our toughest competition right now," said Campbell.
This season the Wolverines have come closer than any team to defeating Service (19-0-1), earning a 0-0 tie.
And the Cougars are feeling a bit of pressure.
"We get choked up sometimes," said Service's Vonnie DesJarlais on Wednesday after the Cougars defeated Colony 7-2 in the quarterfinals. "There's just something about South."
Rain fell during most of Thursday's match, but the Service girls claimed a chunk of the bleachers anyway to scout their opponent. Both teams are fired up to see each other in today's semifinal match.
"They're excited to play (Service), and I have all confidence in them," said Ferrell. "They all play together in club. But out here, when the whistle blows, they're pretty competitive."
Today's other semifinal will feature Chugiak and Juneau.
Juneau defeated Kenai 2-0 in Thursday's late match, which started more than two hours late because three previous matches went into shootouts.
Daily News Reporter Heather March can be reached at hmarch@adn.com or call her at 257-4335.
ASAA/First National Bank Alaska 2009 State Soccer At Anchorage Football Stadium Wednesday's results Service 7, Colony 2 Chugiak 3, Wasilla 2 (shootout) Thursday's results Colony 1, Wasilla 0 (shootout), loser out South 1, West Valley 0 (shootout) Juneau 2, Kenai 0 Today's matches 10 a.m. -- West Valley vs. Kenai, loser out Noon -- Service vs. South, semifinal 4 p.m. -- Chugiak vs. Juneau, semifinal
By HEATHER MARCH
hmarch@adn.com