D-I boys soccer: Hamilton scores twice late to nip Gilbert

February 13, 2016 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


Hamilton's boys soccer team was up against it late in Saturday night's Division I final against Gilbert. Down 1-0 with only 10 minutes left, the Huskies were able to score twice and come away with a 2-1 win at Campo Verde High.

No. 3 seeed Hamilton (19-2-3), playing for the championship for the five time in seven years, now has two titles. This one didn't go overtime like the first one did with Brophy in 2012, but was just as satisfying. Goals in scored from inside the box by Channing Chasten off a rebound in the 71st minute to tie and by Nick Mootz in the 76th minute for the game-winner gave Hamilton a split in the division's two title games. Hamilton's girls lost to Desert Vista in PKs earlier in the day. 

The goal by Mootz, a defender, didn't reach the back of the net. It was good just the same.

'The great thing is Nick Mootz made the mistake that led to their goal and he comes back and gets the goal that wins it," Hamilton coach Nick Markette said. "I think (Mootz) is the best sophomore defender in high school soccer."

Mootz winner almost was out of the reach of Gilbert keeper Noah Rivera and headed for the back of the net. It appeared Rivera didn't get a clear look at the shot (perhaps screened a bit. He managed to stretch at the last instant and pulled the ball back, but officials signaled it crossed the goalline. Television replays (not used) confirmed the call.

No. 4 Gilbert (16-6), bidding for its first outright title in its third visit to the final, took the lead in the 49th minute after surviving an early-half onslaught by Hamilton. The Huskies had four or five good chances in the first eight minutes. After the last of those chances, Gilbert pressed it forward quickly to forward Danny Baca. Baca got enough space -- a rarity for a Tigers shot in the game -- and netted a shot straight on from about 20 yards.

"We knew it was going to be hard to keep them off the board," Markette said. "We figured we'd need two or three goals to win. We got the goals we needed, Just not the way we drew it up. Gilbert is a class program and had a great season. Nothing but respect for their coaches and players."

It was a bitter loss for Gilbert, which shared a title with Salpointe in 2004 and bowed to Highland in 2007. Gilbert trailed for only four minutes of the 2016 tournament -- the last four of the final.