Daniel Arrubla missed No. 4-seeded Hamilton's first-round state playoff match earlier in the week due to an illness. The senior scorer made sure Saturday's home quarterfinal pairing with No. 12 seed Carl Hayden was not the last of his high school action.

It wasn’t a pretty picture, but it did bring Nicholas Markette’s vision closer into view.

Division I Boys Soccer State Championship

Nick Markette is always wary of the Gilbert boys soccer team, but on Friday night those fears were unfounded.

Only in tournaments like these does more than 100 minutes of soccer boil down to 1 1/2 inches.

There’s a fine line between beautiful and ugly on the soccer pitch and Hamilton and Gilbert walked that line on Thursday in their 5A Division I boys state tournament semifinal at Campo Verde High School.

For an early season tournament, there is plenty of importance at the Mustang Classic for the Chandler Hamilton boys soccer team.

Years ago, coach Nick Markette had the Hamilton boys soccer team over to his house for dinner.

Since the day it opened in 1998, Hamilton has been known as a football factory, winning state championships, traveling out of state to play games and sending its kids to colleges like few other programs. Several other sports have followed suit (baseball, golf).

Jordan Fletcher spoke softly but carried a clutch foot.

The three-year ascension of Hamilton's boys soccer program continues, but the next step has proven elusive.

At times, Hamilton senior Daniel Arrubla seems disinterested in chasing down the ball when it looks like he could run it down if he wanted to.

Boys Soccer State Tournament Semifinals

CHANDLER - There couldn't be any deviation.