Highland's girls soccer team's strength is its defense and coach Andy Barber knew his Lady Hawlks needed a better-than-average effort on that front Wednesday night to defeat Hamilton.

That showed in the first 10 minutes as most of the action was in Highland's back third as it repelled five or six early shots by Hamilton before it could get off one. But when Highland did fire its first salvo, it didn't miss.

Senior forward Bri Hatch scored in the 12th minute and 51st minute as the Lady Hawks nabbed a 2-0 road win over Hamilton in a Division I match between two of the top five teams in the division. Highland is now 13-1-1 overall and 3-1 in power-ranking matches. Eleven of its 13 wins are via shutout.

Hamilton put up four goals -- three in overtime--  in a 4-1 victory over defending D-I champ Pinnacle at Pinnacle.

"Defensively we were great," Barber said. "Not just in one area, but as a team and we had to be. Amanda Witherow is one of the best goalkeepers in the state. I think she's the best. Others think their keeper may be the best and they should. Tonight we were good all the way through."

The early goal by Hatch in the 12th minute allowed the defense room for error. It came out of the blue as Highland finally penetrated Hamilton's back third. Highland's top two scorers in goals and assists teamed up for the initial tally. Junior forward Tori Rinsem fed Hatch in the box. Hatch turned quickly with space and rifled home the goal -- her 11th of the season with her 12th following later.

The 1-0 edge held up through halftime although Hamilton more than doubled Highland's shots on goal during the first 40 minutes. Highland came out stronger on the offensive end early in the second half and actually stayed even for a bit with shot attempts. Highland's second goal in the 51st minute wasn't as crisp. Senior midfielder Zorena Hazen looped a ball in the front of the box that didn't appear to be a threat. Hamilton keeper Luza Galindo got didn't get close enough to corral it and wasn't able to react to the high hop it took. Hatch strode past her defender Galindo and tapped it in.

That seemed to take some fight out of Hamilton for several minutes, but the Lady Huskies put together several runs in the final minutes. The best chance -- and it would have been a heck of a goal -- came with about five minutes left. A cross from McKaya Brown was headed just right of the the net by Jaimie Salas. Also in the final 10 minutes, Highland defender Sarina Stockton saved a goal heading away a shot Witherow had no chance of saving.

Hamilton (7-3-2 overall, 3-1 prm) opened January with Pinnacle and Wednesday's rematch with Highland )who beat Hamilton last week on PKs. Not an easy welcome to the second half of the season.

"Highland had our number again tonight," first-year Hamilton coach Nathan Fairchild said. "They're a very talented team. We had chances. Our main conversation after was our struggle to score. Right now the goals aren't flowing. Hopefully, as we keep going they will as we get through January and on to February."