The Prescott High School Badgers girls soccer team faced a heartbreaking defeat in the 4A state championship game on Saturday morning, falling 1-0 to Salpointe Catholic. The intense matchup at Mesa saw the Lancers secure their fourth title in five years with a decisive goal in the 71st minute.
Ranked as the No. 1 seed, Prescott met No. 2 seed Salpointe Catholic in what was expected to be a tightly contested battle. Both teams displayed strong defense and strategic plays, keeping the match scoreless for most of the game.
A Hard-Fought Battle Until the Final Whistle
Prescott and Salpointe Catholic entered the final with dominant records, showcasing their resilience throughout the season. The first half saw both teams creating goal-scoring opportunities, but solid defensive efforts kept the scoreboard unchanged.
“It was a tough one, it came down to one moment,” said Prescott head coach Paul Campuzano. “Really, in the end, it’s about these players and everything they sacrificed and worked for. So I’m sad for them. I’m sad I couldn’t get it done for them.”
The Decisive Moment
With less than 10 minutes left in regulation, Salpointe Catholic senior Emma Veliz found the back of the net, capitalizing on an opportunity that would ultimately seal the championship for the Lancers.
“We just were wound so tight in the first half. We didn’t keep the ball like we should have, but when we showed the moments that we do keep it, we are pretty dangerous,” Campuzano noted. “A game like this isn’t about going out and trying to react to what they’re doing, just doing what we do a little bit better than we had in the past.”
Despite aggressive attacks and multiple scoring chances, Prescott was unable to break through Salpointe Catholic’s well-organized defense.
“They played a low sweeper, so it was kind of hard to work around that,” said Prescott junior Rianna Aguilar. “I think that we worked good, and there was nothing we could do. We gave it our all.”
Prescott’s Remarkable Season and Future Prospects
Though the loss was disappointing, Prescott continues to be a dominant force in 4A girls soccer. Over the past two seasons, the team has achieved an impressive 21-2-1 record, winning the Grand Canyon region this year.
“It’s kind of hard for a team like us to get noticed here in metro Phoenix because we’re in Prescott, but I can’t be more proud of all the state runs we’ve had,” Campuzano said.
The Prescott High School girls soccer team will return to action next winter, aiming to build upon their success and make another deep playoff run.
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