After securing a 4-0 win over Perry Tuesday evening and with playoffs on the horizon, the top-ranked Brophy Broncos appear ready to defend their state championship.

Emotions were high at the Brophy sports campus as seniors played their last regular season home game. The stands and sidelines were filled with loud cheers and support from friends and families as each senior was honored and thanked his family before the start of the game.

Brophy (10-0-1) has three Division I commits. Conner Leber will be playing for Cal Poly San Louis Obispo and Case Montanile has committed to University of California Irvine, while Eduardo “Lalo” Serrano will be attending Cornell University. 

Montanile scored the fourth goal in the game and assisted on the second goal. While Leber played a solid defensive game helping in the shutout against the Pumas, Serrano held it down in the midfield with strong ball control both offensively and defensively. 

Brophy’s offensive strategy helped the Broncos build a 3-0 halftime lead, and after taking a 4-0 lead, with just under 19 minutes left in the game, Brophy coach Paul Allen substituted all of his seniors into the match so they could share their final minutes together on the pitch.

“To be able to take care of business and get them all out there was huge,” Allen said. 

After the game, Leber said that it was a special moment to be able to share the field with the other seniors because with the team entering playoffs they may not get another chance to be on the field all together. 

The next focus for these seniors is earning another state title. Montanile explained what mentality needs to be brought going into the rest of the season.

"Like last year, the unity that we had, perseverance and things that we need as a team to come together and be strong throughout the playoffs,”  he said.

Brotherhood and showing up for one another is a big part of the team’s mentality. Montanile said that in order for the team to win a championship, they need to work together as a full team and not as individuals.  

Many moments were shared during Tuesday’s senior night, however one particular moment was said to be extra special.

“Honestly, the first goal, the first goal we scored I mean, after that, it was all of us celebrating together," Montanile said. "It kind of showed us we're a real team. We are really coming together as a team, and going into these playoffs as one team.”

While looking ahead to the playoffs, the mentality Allen wants his seniors to carry forward into the rest of the season is leadership.

“They just need to keep being leaders and get the team to continue to grow as a team and as individuals so that we can continue to move forward with our goal,” Allen said. 

The Broncos will play their final regular season game Friday at No. 3 Hamilton (9-0-2). 

In last year's state championship game, Brophy defeated Hamilton, 3-0.