A first half goal. Let the defense do the rest.
That is how the Hamilton girls soccer team nailed down win after win this season and did not deviate in the title game to edge Xavier, 1-0, to capture the 5A-I crown on Saturday at Campo Verde High School.
It has been rare this season when anyone scores on the Hamilton girls soccer team. Shutouts in 21 of 24 games and four goals allowed overall is mighty impressive.
The Huskies gave up their first goal since December on Wednesday night to 5A-I semifinal foe Mesquite midway through the second half and were faced with the question: Could they respond?
Xavier coach Barb Chura is not bashful when it comes to talking about freshman forward Nikki Walts -- and for good reason.
Walts scored two goals in the final 13 minutes Wednesday to help the Gators skip past Desert Vista, 3-1, in a 5A-I girls soccer semifinal at Campo Verde High School.
A consolidation of sites is the new wrinkle for the first and second rounds of the 5A and 4A boys and girls state soccer tournaments that begin Tuesday and Wednesday across the state.