There are points throughout a season that can be pointed at as one of those moments that pivot a season.

The Red Mountain boys soccer team might have had one Wednesday night.

The Mountain Lions topped Cesar Chavez 4-3 in overtime thanks to some resiliency, a hat trick by sophomore player finding his place at the varsity level while surpassing last season’s win total before Christmas.

It just might be what the program needed. Red Mountain hasn’t had a winning season since the 2019-2020 season. The Mountain Lions trailed twice against Chavez, a physical and technically sound program, but managed to get the win.

“This was a really big moment for our team because we really haven’t been the best the past couple of seasons,” sophomore Ryder Barrett said. “This year we are really coming up, everyone is working together and the captains are taking initiative.”

The game winner came on Barrett’s third goal of the game, a bit of redemption after missing a penalty kick in the first half of overtime, with 7:05 left in the second overtime. He deflected Charlie Plenkovich’s putback to grab the lead for good.

He sent it to overtime with a crosser from the left side that nestled itself just inside the front right post with 2:45 left in regulation.

“He’s a young kid, and special player,” Red Mountain coach Mike Miller said. “He came up big when we needed it at the end (of regulation). He has a chance to do some really good things.”

Red Mountain improved to 5-3-1 after going 4-11-2 last season. A lot has changed as Miller has seen a difference in confidence, while winning close matches that went the other way last year.

“The resiliency of just not giving up,” Miller said. “We lost three games that we led or were tied in the last 10 minutes last year. This year this team has the resiliency to push through and adjusting the way we play to go beat teams.”

Chavez (4-2) scored twice in the second half to grab a 3-2 on goals by Noe Cardenas and Nicolas Olmos Miramontes, who gave his team the lead with 9:45 remaining.

“We had some mental lapses,” Chavez coach said. Xavier Flores said. “On the winner we kicked it out liked we wanted to but watched it go out, and it came back. You can’t stand around and watch especially late in the game and overtime.

“But I have to hand it to the boys. They played a hell of a game. We have a lot of grit of determination and no quit. They just scored one more than us.”

Red Mountain heads toward the holidays and the second half of the season feeling pretty good about the season thus.

And this win just might that pivot point that has the Mountain Lions changing the program’s path this year and beyond.

“These guys can push through it even through we’re behind early,” said newcomer and captain Jack Bauer, who moved in from North Carolina. “It’s a big deal getting this win, and pushing these boys through and the resilience they showed.”