A first half goal. Let the defense do the rest.

That is how the Hamilton girls soccer team nailed down win after win this season and did not deviate in the title game to edge Xavier, 1-0, to capture the 5A-I crown on Saturday at Campo Verde High School.

The title is the first for Hamilton in girls soccer and came in its first championship game appearance. The Huskies (25-0-1)  reached the quarterfinals last year where they bowed out to Desert Vista. Twice in the last five years Xavier had eliminated Hamilton in the quarterfinals Xavier  finished a strong season 18-6-1, but just coulsn't net a goal (like most other teams) against the Huskies..

"This is amazing," midfielder and mid-back defender Rylie Johnson said.. "It's everything we wanted the last four years.

When the teams met in mid-January it took all of regulation and 18 minutes of overtime before a goal was scored, an incredible tally by Johnson.  This was much the same other than the goal taking place in regulation.

Johnson, one of  five senior starters and seven on the team, assisted on the match's lone goal. It came in the 26th minute on a quick touch pass to fellow senior and fellow captain Sam Weiss, who buried a shot from 15 yards out in the right corner of the net.

It was the fourth good chance Hamilton had in the first half. After that the Huskies were content to let their defense (22 shutouts) close the match out.  It did, but not without several second-half opportunities from Xavier.

Most of Xavier's chances came from freshman Nikki Walts, who let loose with two free kicks and a couple corners late in the match, the final one coming with under a minute to play.

"They played it right," Xavier coach Barb Chura said of moving Johnson to the back in the second half to fortify an already tough defense. "She can play anywhere. They decided to sit back. We had our chances. We just couldn't get one to go in."

Hamilton coach Jason Thompson is now the proud owner of the first team to win the Diablo, Dobson and state tournaments all in the same season. He couldn't be happier.

"We knew it was going to be a battle," Thompson said. "They had the experience of winning state before. We had the determination of not letting this one get away. Winnnig all three is an accomplishment. This one is the best."