Nicholas Markette vetoed a couple of his players’ Gatorade dousing plans.  

Hamilton’s successful boys soccer coach is familiar with post-championship Gatorade showers but having ice run down his back and replacing another cell phone on a cool Thursday afternoon was out of the question. So Markette remained dry for the trophy presentation of the big tournament his program runs.

Now if Hamilton winds up winning a state title, then bring on the Gatorade, Markette told his players after Hamilton defeated Pinnacle 5-1 at Reach 11 Sport Complex. The win gave Hamilton the Black Division tournament title of the Arizona Soccer Showcase and cemented the Chandler team’s position as a state title favorite.

Hamilton (10-1-1) outscored its five tournament opponents 19-5.

“The unheralded star of our team is our team defense,” Markette said.

One of the emerging stars of this year’s boys soccer season plays on Hamilton’s defense, Josh Drack, the team’s No. 10.

Drack recorded a hat trick, had a couple of assists and performed the Dab, a popular and easy dance move, for his teammates on the bench after each goal.      

Drack is a junior but is playing in his first high school season after a stint with the Real Salt Lake Academy in Casa Grande. The junior isn’t tall but got up to put a header away for one of his goals and showed off his all-around skills.

“We are sound on the ball, but what I really like about this team is that we are tight,” Drack said. “We care for each other.”

A rundown of Hamilton’s goals:

--Alex Zumbuhl scored the first one just before sliding to his right. His right-foot strike found the left side of the net.

--After Pinnacle (11-1) converted a penalty kick to tie the game, 1-1, Hamilton answered quickly with back-to-back goals from Drack. Drack’s second goal was set up by a cross from a freshman, Channing Chasten.

--Drack assisted on the fourth goal when his pass went to Tyler Neiman, who took care of the rest.

--Drack’s final goal came after an assist from the left side from senior Jason Buyer.

Results

A valiant effort by Desert Vista’s girls came up short in the Black Division final against California Villa Park.

Lauren Polyakov’s second half cross just got by the outstretched arms of Desert Vista’s goalkeeper, and Danielle Leavelle punched it in with an open net for the only score in the game. Polyakov is one of only three seniors on Villa Park’s (10-1-1) team.  

“We worked hard this week” Desert Vista assistant coach Bruce Hough said. “We just had one glitch.”

Ironwood’s girls won the Maroon Division, defeating Hawaii Prep Academy 4-0 in the final, and Coronado defeated Calif. St. Ignatius 4-1 to claim the Maroon Division on the boys side.