Chaparral girls make it 4-for-4, 4-0 over Hamilton

February 26, 2020 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


Chaparral's girls soccer team shows off its fourth consecutive state title trophy and banner after beating Hamilton in the 6A final. (Azpreps365 photo).

5A or 6A. Rain or shine. Win in overtime. Win via golden goal. Prevail in regulation. Whatever it took.

Chaparral completed its mission for a yet another girls soccer title led by a senior corps who were part of all four titles.

On Wednesday night senior forward Isabella Struckman began a second-half onslaught with what would be a hat trick for her as the top-seeded Firebirds blanked No. 7 Hamilton, 4-0, to win a fourth consecutive championship in the 6A title match at Campo Verde High School.

Chaparral completed the season 21-1-3 and ran its record in state title matches to 6-0-1 in the 25 years the team has played the sport -- all under current coach Robyn Carlson. The Firebirds started the current run of titles in 2017 beating Arcadia in overtime, Notre Dame by golden goal in 2018 and Perry last year in a downpour.

Along for the four-peat ride have been five seniors -- Struckman, Chloe Steinhilber, Hailey Schmitt, Kelly Hitchcock and Madison Liebman. Hamilton (17-4-3) garnered its third runner-up finish in school history to go with its lone title captured in 2011.

Chaparral tested Hamilton's defense often in he opening half, but came away empty. Hamilton's strength is its defense and it met the Firebirds challenge. The Huskies (17-4--3) gave up only seven goals the entire season prior to the title game. The second half, however,  was a different story and pronto.

Struckman found the back of the net two minutes into the second half. Taking a pass from Steinhilber, Struckman beat Hamilton keeper Asia Hart to the far post from just outside the box 15 yards out on the right side. Hart had a handful of nice saves in the opening half.

'"The girls came with intensity and drive," Carlson said. "We had a few chances the first half. They knew they had to keep the intensity up and the relentless drive was still there."

Struckman's second goal came in the 50th minute, again assisted by Steinhilber and the 2-0 advantage had to look huge to the Huskies.

A freshman took the scoring baton in the 59th minute as Sami Fisher dribbled her way deep in the box and made the deposit for a 3-0 edge.

Struckman completed the scoring in the final three minutes getting fouled in the box. She buried the penalty kick to complete the hat trick.

"It couldn't have happened to a better person," Carlson said of Struckman. "It's a fitting end to her career at Chaparral."

Struckman was a bit frustrated the Firebirds didn't score the first half. Her hat trick was long in coming.

"I haven't been getting any goals in the playoffs," Struckman said. "I Tthink these were my first. They were very welcomed."