No. 1 Xavier Prep, No. 2 Perry slug it out in girls' soccer 1-1 draw
It was a heavyweight fight from start to finish, as expected.
In the biggest soccer game of the season so far, between two of the state’s top-ranked teams, the billing lived up to the expectations as No. 1 Phoenix Xavier Preparatory (8-0-2) and No. 2 Gilbert Perry (9-1-4) played to a 1-1 draw on a chilly Thursday evening. Perry sophomore Saydie Herbert put her team ahead on a brilliant goal from outside the box at the beginning of the second half before Xavier Prep senior Madison Schenk leveled the game quickly.
“It’s everything you look for when you have the one seed and two seed playing each other in the middle of the season,” Perry coach Kete Meskill said. “They’re a brilliant team. It’s always a pleasure playing against them. This is why you play high school soccer, this is why you sign up to do this, is because of games like these.”
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The stars show out
With this being a matchup between the top two teams in The Republic’s Super 10 rankings, as well in the Arizona Interscholastic 6A rankings, the field was scattered with some of the state’s best talent.
Xavier Prep midfielder and Dartmouth commit Lourdes Lauterborn, despite picking up an early yellow card, was an effective force all night long. She played from box to box, helped set teammates up and pushed the ball forward. Her teammate, sophomore defender Bianca Willis, was even better though.
Willis was a thorn in the side of Herbert for the whole evening, cutting off angles for the majority of the game. Herbert was active and in near constant motion when the ball was near her, but it was Willis who acted as a stopper.
Schenk, with her shifty play, was able to create opportunities throughout the match and came close a few times before finally capitalizing with 18:22 left in the second half. On a free kick from the side, Perry junior goalkeeper Trinity Lujan came out to save the ball but was unable to do so. The ball landed right at Schenk, who slotted it in. Schenk entered the game as one of the team’s leading scorers and adds to her tally.
The goal from Schenk had come just right after Herbert had launched a monster of a shot from outside the box to break the scoreless tie, another feather in the cap for the rising sophomore star forward.
Also starring for Perry was senior defender Sydney Snowden, the Appalachian State commit who simply refused to be beaten. Time after time, Snowden was the stalwart making the Xavier Prep attack fizzle out. Her large frame was a problem for the Gators, who struggled to get around her.
Second half flurry
With these two teams being nearly level in terms of quality, it’s only fitting that this game only featured 55 seconds where one team held a lead. It was a defensive battle for the entire first half, which ended 0-0. That’s not surprising, as Xavier had only surrendered 1 goal on the season heading into this game. Perry had given up just 8.
But then 10 minutes into the second half, there was a breakthrough. That came in the form of a long-distance goal from Herbert with 19:17 left.
“Saydie for us, she’s a special player,” Perry coach Kete Meskill said. “Only a sophomore, so it’s crazy to see what’s she gonna be like as a junior, senior. But that’s a kid, you give her time and space, she has the technique to put something special on the goal.”
She’s only been playing at the high school level for two years and has already garnered the respect of her teammates, including Snowden, who some coaches view as one of the best soccer players in Arizona.
“As a teammate, Saydie is lights out,” Snowden said. “From the back, I see her all the way up, and I’m like, ‘You go, girl.’ She’s so young, she has a bright future ahead of her. I love watching her play from where I’m at.”
Following the goal, Herbert capped it off with the signature “I Can’t Hear You” celebration that has gained popularity in the sport. The Pumas swarmed her in the corner of the field.
Not even a minute later, it was Xavier Prep doing the celebrating following a defensive miscue.
Schenk took advantage of a ball in the box and tied the game with 18:22 to go in the second half. It was less than a minute when Perry led. Just like that, the momentum was gone.
“The keeper’s coming out to a crowded space, it’s just unfortunate,” Meskill said. “But Trinity’s been an absolute rock for us. Things like that happen, and we got her back. We don’t stress about it. We learn from it. She’s absolutely critical for us still as a player.”
After that, the scoring valve was shut off. A brief outburst. Each team was able to create some opportunities the rest of the way, but unable to convert on any of them.
February should be fun
The regular season isn’t over yet and we’re still weeks away from the playoffs being set by the Arizona Interscholastic Association, but it feels pretty comfortable saying these two teams are on a path to meet again in the 6A state championship game.
Of course, Phoenix Desert Vista, Phoenix Pinnacle, Chandler Basha, or even Tucson Magnet might have something to say about that. They’re all turning in solid seasons as well. And we know anything can happen in the playoffs.
These two teams just seem to be the best there is. Neither has lost to an in-state opponent, with Perry’s lone loss coming to nationally-ranked Punahou (Hawaii) during a tournament in southern California back in early December.
If they do meet again, it’ll be the third consecutive time they’ve done so. The prior two seasons went Xavier Prep’s way and the Gators are aiming for a fourth overall straight title. This game was a test for each team.
“After this game, heading into the playoffs, I’m very confident in our team,” Snowden said. “I think we have a good chance to make it in that final two game. I’m excited for these last four games to finish up. I think as long as we stay healthy and keep pushing, we’ll make it to the end.”
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: HS girls' soccer: No. 1 Xavier Prep vs. No. 2 Perry playoff preview
