Desert Christian's girls soccer team could have expected a dropoff this season. Losing nine seniors to graduation looked to be a huge hill to climb for a team that was 17-3 in 2009.

But the Eagles have persevered. Heading into Friday's match with Verde Valley, they are a win away from securing their fourth straight West Region title. The 2010 squad is 10-2-1 overall and 6-0 in the West. They have won19 consecutive region games.

The 2010 Eagles have 17 players on their roster, according to coach Mark Harting, five of which had never played soccer before this year. In their season opener on Sept. 10, 10 of the 17 players were playing in their first varsity match.

The next hurdle is winning the 1A-2A-3A title. Desert Christian reached the semis in 2009, the finals in 2008 and lost in the first round in 2007. Blue Ridge and/or  Show Low have been the thorns in the side of the Eagles each year.