For this group of Brophy College Prep seniors, they couldn’t have asked for a better way for possibly their last home soccer game to end, on Senior Night nonetheless.

The Broncos (14-3-2) defeated the Hamilton Huskies (16-3) on Friday, 3-1.

As the Broncos and the Huskies wrestled over the top spot in the 6A Premier Region all season long, there was no question that the game was going to be a physical one. Players falling to the ground, defense attempting to outmuscle the offensive attack, each goal was going to be earned for both sides.

Brophy head coach Paul Allen was impressed to see his team bounce back so well after a 2-1 loss against Perry on Tuesday.

“The boys came out tonight and I think they had a little hunger in them,” Allen said.

The Broncos  struck first with an early goal by senior Andrew Cardellini. However, the Huskies responded quickly, tying the game with a header from senior Jason Tukker after a pass from senior Jonas Votaw.

“It was what we needed to get that result there to get us back into the game,” Hamilton head coach Lance Thompson said.

However, as time was running out in the first half,  Brophy senior Connor White scored on a header himself to give the Broncos a 2-1 lead at halftime.

“Connor made the perfect run and just smacked it in,” Brophy senior Deric Hall said.  “It brought so much momentum to our game.”

What worked so well for the Broncos was their play on defense. 

“We stayed organized,” Allen said. “We have preached defensive as a team, all year long.”

The Broncos were able to maintain their momentum into the second half, as they were able to continue to get more shots on goal than the Huskies. 

Junior Francesco Montanile, the Broncos' leading scorer, gave Brophy a 3-1 lead later in the second half.

Thompson wasn’t afraid to admit that the Broncos were the better team on Friday, and was impressed with their enthusiasm throughout the game.

“They wanted it more than us,” Thompson said,” so that (the game) was a fair result.”

As excited as the Broncos were about winning their region, they are already ready to get back to work with the playoffs just around the corner.

“We just got to savor this moment for a little bit, but not get to ahead of ourselves before playoffs,” Hall said.

Allen said he would not be surprised to see his team face off against Hamilton again in the playoffs.

“I definitely think they are going to be in the final four with us,” Allen said. “I would love to have them again.”

The playoffs will begin on Feb. 9. Seedings have not yet been announced.