A winless week rarely happens to Hamilton's boys soccer team. This week was one of those rarities.

Only with the help of a huge mental mistake in the waning moments of regulation was Hamilton able to secure a 2-2 tie with host Chandler in a 6A Premier Region match.

The week was a strong one for Chandler (7-2-1- overall and 1-0-1 region). The Wolves  won in overtime over Perry (2-1) on Tuesday and swallowed hard to accept  the tie against the defending state champs. Hamilton (12-3-1, 0-1-1), which won the Arizona Soccer Showcase as 2016 concluded, returned for the nw year with a decisive 5-1 win over Desert Vista on Jan. 4. This week region play began and the Huskies suffered a 4-0 loss to Brophy Prep. A 40-yard bomb from senior Blake Lynch in the 77th minute saved the Huskies from a two-loss week.

Although disappointed to a degree with the tie after two 10-minute overtimes produced no scoring, Chandler coach Sasha Hunter left Austin Field upbeat.

"I thought we outplayed them," Hunter said. "The mistake we made near the end left us with the tie. It;s a learning experiece for a young player....

"Both teams had chances in the overtime. We're battling a lot of injuries with only 16 guys, but we're giving it all we have. We've played well. I have to keep convincing them we can play with the top teams." 

Chandler, which never trailed, was holding strong to a 2-1 lead with a little more than three minutes left in regulation. Backup keeper Abel Hernandez, in for starter Angel Hernandez who had been sent to the sideline via yellow card, failed to be in proper position when Lynch let loose alone in the middle of the field. Lynch's boot sailed into the back of an untended net tying the match and forcing OT.

Hamilton played the last couple minutes of regulation and the overtimes a man down due to a red card. The Huskies also lost coach Nick Markette early in the first overtime when his second yellow card disqualified him.

Chandler, which led 1-0 on an unassisted goal in the 13th minute by Daniel Corona, took that lead to intermission despite being outshot 9-4. Hamilton was able to even the score in the 44th minute on a penalty kick by Josh Drack.

Five minutes later on the best goal of the match, Chandler grabbed the lead again on a counter attack. Corona did the assisting this time, feeding Marcos Hernandez on a cross for a 2-1 edge.

"You feel like you deserve better, but that's how soccer goes sometimes," Hunter said. "We had a couple of nice goals. They got a PK for one and a free one. We have to get ready and try to get healed for Brophy next week."