Even though Xavier did not win the State Soccer Title this year, Xavier Soccer's domination amongst Arizona high schools continues. Under Coach Barb Chura, the Gators have won five State Titles in a row and this year made it to the title game ranked #5, losing by one tie-breaker penalty kick after forty minutes of regulation play and twenty minutes of overtime.

The three characteristics of the Xavier soccer team mentioned by Coach Chura above was on display last night. Casteel scored first, fifteen minutes into the game. With 3:30 left in regulation, Xavier still had not scored. In all their resilience and fighting spirit, the Gators persevered to score a goal with 3:03 remaining and tie the game.

Three minutes of regulation and twenty minutes of overtime later, the score remained knotted at one. Casteel won the PK battle 4-3 to earn the right to hold up the Championship trophy.

Goalie Chloe Cundiff and the Xavier defense held the Casteel offense scoreless, blocking every attack the Colts could throw at them. It took a Casteel penalty kick put the Colts on the board. 

Casteel's defense did the same thing to Xavier's offense, thwarting every attempted shot-on-goal and leaving Xavier scoreless for 77 minutes. . . until the Gators put together a fabulous scoring play to tie the game.
 

Watch the following video to see how Bianca Willis and Sophia Knox demonstrated some exceptional, quick thinking and skill to set up Olivia Yu to use her speed, quickness, athleticism, and soccer skill to score Xavier's only goal.