Danny Baca was left alone.
Sports / VarsityXtra
The best boys soccer players in East Valley
After an unforgettable loss in last year’s playoffs, the North Canyon Rattlers (16-3) redeemed themselves Saturday night by upending the Campo Verde Coyotes (25-1), 3-1, to take home the 5A boys state title and their first title in program history.
After losing in last year’s final, the Gilbert High School Tigers (16-2-2) are AIA 6A boys’ soccer state champions, after beating Tolleson High School (21-1) 1-0 at Campo Verde High School, despite having just 10 players the entire second half.
Perfection is rarely attained in any endeavor.
The penalty kick giveth, and the penalty kick taketh away.
The expectations were set high for this quarterfinals matchup as a team who had won 18 straight, traveled to take on one of the highest ranked teams in the state.
Tempers flared, cards were dealt and the crowd was vocal at Gilbert High on Saturday as second-seeded Gilbert boys soccer narrowly defeated No. 10 Mesa, 1-0.
The volatility of the soccer postseason showed up Wednesday night as a handful of upsets shook up the 6A Conference playoff landscape.
It was shaping up as one of those playoff soccer matches that make it one of the best and unpredictable postseasons in high school sports.
Sasha Hunter knew entering Tuesday's 6A state first-round contest what to expect from unbeaten Tolleson.
The play-in matches are over and the soccer postseason brackets are filled out.
Missing two key pieces to the puzzle didn't faze Mesa coach T.J. Hagen. He's been at this too long to worry.
Finding the back of the net comes easier for some than others, and that is clear by looking at the state leaders on MaxPreps.
The Reach 11 Sports Complex has hosted elite level soccer tournaments ever since the North Phoenix facility was built in the early 2000s.
Nestled in to the base of the San Tan Mountains lies Casteel High School, the newest member to an expanding Chandler Unified School District.
The MLS Cup will have a distinct East Valley flavor.
For two years, Josh Drack watched the Hamilton soccer program from afar despite roaming the halls of the school.
Hamilton defeats Gilbert for the DI boys soccer championship at Campo Verde High School on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016.
For the better part of 80 minutes, it looked as though Hamilton would maintain a lone star above its team crest.
Hamilton coach Nick Markette can see just about when his program began to turn from good to elite, when the dial was turned up and the Huskies began to become a preeminent boys soccer power.
Gilbert defeats Desert Vista on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016. [Ethan Fichtner/Special to Tribune]
Hamilton defeats Highland on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016. [Ethan Fichtner/Special to Tribune]