Kombo Chogugudza is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism Student assigned to cover Pinnacle High School for AZPreps365.com.

The matchup featured two of Arizona’s top goal scorers: Pinnacle’s Bryce Smith, who entered the game with 33 regular-season goals, and Sunnyside’s Angel Bracamontes Pulido, who had 32.

But the night wasn’t about individual stats. It was a back-and-forth battle defined by midfield play, where Pinnacle’s technical skill clashed with Sunnyside’s physicality.

After a scoreless first half, Pinnacle finally broke through four minutes into the second. Smith delivered a pinpoint assist to senior forward Sean Ribadeneira, who slotted home the opening goal, sending the packed student section into a frenzy. Members of the Pinnacle girls soccer team led the chants from the stands, feeding into the electric atmosphere.

Sunnyside, though, wasn’t done.

The Blue Devils pressed high and controlled possession late, forcing Pinnacle to defend deep. With less than five minutes remaining, midfielder Aaron Abarca fired a stunning shot into the net, tying the game 1-1 and silencing the home crowd. Sunnyside’s bench erupted in celebration, exchanging words with Pinnacle’s rowdy student section.

In extra time, Pinnacle found a way. Smith pounced on a loose ball after a miscue from Sunnyside’s goalkeeper, knocking in the game-winner to seal the 2-1 victory. The celebration was bittersweet, as Pinnacle captain and center back Jack Pease suffered an injury in the final moments. In his absence, goalkeeper Brayden Remke came up with several clutch saves, including a diving stop on a Sunnyside free kick, to close out the win.

Pinnacle head coach Justin Hughes praised his team’s resilience.

“We just had to grind and grind. That’s a top-two team in the state,” he said. “Bryce was phenomenal. He had the key assist to Sean to start the game and then won it for us in extra time.”

Smith, who even dropped back to center back late in extra time after Pease’s injury, reflected on the intensity.

“That’s the best team we’ve played. It was a 50-50 game, but I’ll take this team any day of the week,” he said.

Pinnacle (20-1-2), a 6A program, will host 5A Washington (22-1-1) in the Open semifinals on Saturday, Feb. 22.