In a season that started with only six players at Desert Christian's first soccer practice in August, the Eagles ended their season with 12 girls and a shot at the Division IV state title Saturday.
Facing an undefeated Lakeside Blue Ridge squad, the Eagles took an early lead before losing 4-2 at Gilbert Campo Verde High School. Blue Ridge also defeated Desert Christian in the 2008 state championship game.
Desert Christian junior forward Jenna Cray scored the opener on a free kick with 18:40 left in the first half.
Blue Ridge's Ashley Davidson responded with two goals to give the Yellowjackets a 2-1 advantage heading into halftime.
The Yellowjackets took control in the second half, thanks to two goals from leading scorer Jill Turner.
Sara Boice brought the Eagles within two with 5:50 remaining in the game.
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Desert Christian had a chance to score again with 1:30 left, but Blue Ridge's goalkeeper Naomi Schimmel blocked two shots to seal the win and the state championship for the Yellowjackets (21-0-1).
"The first half I thought we played really good, but the second half we definitely could have controlled it more, because we kind of went away from our game and let them play their game instead," said Boice, a senior who has been to three state semifinals and a state title game.
Desert Christian finished with a 15-3-1 record in a season that included games in which the Eagles had one substitute or had to play with only 10 players. Their perseverance throughout the year proved the program has continued to exceed expectations, according to former Eagles player and current assistant coach Hannah Netherton.
"Every year this team just exceeds expectations," said Netherton. "They take each game as a blessing. They're just happy to be here and thankful for just one more game, aside the fact that it is a state championship."
With eight girls returning next year, including four freshmen starters, the program should continue to impress in the future.
"We have 89 wins in six years for a program that has maybe one or two club players a year. The heart they have, you can't coach that," said Eagles coach Mark Harting.
