It wasn't a state championship match Tuesday evening that pitted Desert Mountain and Xavier in soccer, but it wasn't far off from that magnitude. It was for a section title in Division I and momentum heading to next week's playoffs.

Check the Desert Mountain box in this one as the Lady Wolves used an early goal to take a 1-0 victory over Xavier at Desert Mountain. The win was a rare one for Desert Mountain over Xavier. Recent records show Xavier had won at least the last seven matches between the schools dating back to 2007. Desert Mountain was close last year, losing, 1-0. The Lady Wolves returned the favor Tuesday in kind, scoring their goal on a set piece in the 7th minute.

"They beat us last year by the same score and their goal was on a set piece," Desert Mountain coach Brad Keller said. "We knew this would be a fight. We were ready for it. The girls all fight for each other every minute. This was a good win to get ready (for state)."

Desert Mountain didn't get off many shots -- six in all. The first one they got in the seventh minute was a collaboration of seniors. Kalyn Kennedy's throw in connected with Bethany Block, who popped in far post past Xavier keeper Kinsey Ehmann. It was Block's 11th goal this season. Desert Mountain was content to lay back and defend for the duration and offered up a counter attack a couple times in the second half to no avail.

Between its backline and sophomore keeper Sophia Lettieri (11 saves), the Lady Wolves managed to hand Xavier its second loss and second shutout of the season. Xavier had plenty of shots and a handful of really good shots, but Ehmann was there to stop some and a couple not on frame. One Xavier shot hit the crossbar in the second half and one ricochet had some english on  it that Ehmann grabbed and didn't let slip through her hands at the goal mouth.

Desert Mountain, No. 2 in the D-I power-rankings when the day began, improved to 15-1-2 overall and 10-0-1 in power-ranking matches. The Lady Wolves have been on the winning end of three 1-0 matches this month (Desert Vista, Corona del Sol and Xavier). Leading scorer Parker Caudle (15 goals) had the only goal in both those contests. Desert Mountain finishes the regular season on Thursday at Horizon

Xavier, No. 1 in the D-I power rankings, dropped to 15-2, 11-1. The loss broke a nine-game January winning streak for the Gators. Xavier finishes up with a home match Thursday against Hamilton, No. 3 in the power rankings.