Basha goes OT to edge Xavier Prep, 2-1

February 15, 2020 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


Basha's Kallie White (dark uniform) is defended tightly by Xavier's Savannah Angell (12) and Collins Entz (5). White was bottled up here, but scored both of the Bears' goals in their 2-1 victory over the Gators. (AzPreps36 photo)

Basha girls soccer coach Greg Johnson has mentored many matches against Xavier Prep in his career at Dobson and Basha covering two decades. His teams had never won a match against the Gators until this season, 2-0, in a late January Premier Region battle. On Saturday, Johnson and the Bears got to see if that was a one-off. It wasn't.

No. 6 Basha had to go overtime this time to defeat No. 11 Xavier, 2-1, in a 6A first-round contest at Basha High. The Bears weren't bothered going an extra 20 minutes.

Basha (14-6) advances to Tuesday's quarterfinals traveling to No. 3 Highland for a 6 p.m. contest. Highland advanced by trouncing #14 Shadow Ridge, 9-1. Xavier finished its season 7-9-1. The Gators reached the state tourney winning a play-in game, 4-0, over Cibola two days ago. It's the second year in a row Xavier has fallen in the first round at state. The Gators and coach Barb Chura won four big-school titles in the recently completed decade.

Basha got the victory thanks to a pair of goals by stout senior forward Kallie White, a four-year performer for the Bears.

"Kallie is tough to defend," Johnson said. "This year hasn't been her best, but she was in on both goals today. Played one of her better games. We haven't had that single player who has done it all for us this year. When we work together as a team, we can compete with anyone."

White gave Basha a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute, getting a follow off a corner kick.

That goal looked as if it would stand as the decisive one with Basha keeping Xavier's chances to very few in the first half and a handful more in the second half. A strange goal in the 68th minute by the Gators was a stunner.

Xavier junior Brooke Bream attempted a throw-in just a few yards away from the corner. The throw cleared everyone and was aimed at Basha keeper Tionna Taylor. Taylor failed to haul in the throw cleanly. It slipped through her hands, landed and crossed the goal plane. The touch by Taylor made it legal for a goal.

The game went to overtime and for the second time a corner kick was the Bears' best friend. Emma Rich served the corner in the 85th minute and  it was White getting the touch - one again that did not find the back of the net, but crossed the plane.

Basha has reached the playoffs the last seven seasons. Their best finish is reaching the state quarters, which they have done for the third time and second year in a row.