A tough
late-season schedule is serving as a challenge. The Gators fell to visiting
Gilbert Perry, 2-0, on Xavier’s Senior Night on Tuesday (Jan. 29), in a rematch
of last year’s title game. Perry is ranked No. 2 in power points by the Arizona
Interscholastic Association behind Scottsdale Chaparral and is unbeaten at
18-0-3.
Xavier will
finish up its regular season on Friday night (Feb. 1) at No. 5 Chandler
Hamilton, another perennially strong program.
As of
Wednesday morning (Jan. 30), Xavier (8-5-1) was No. 9 in power points. If the
Gators maintain that position, they would have to win a “play-in’’ game on Feb.
7 to be one of the final 16 teams to reach the state tournament.
Play-in
games allow teams 9 through 24 in the rankings one last attempt to qualify for
state. So if the play-in games would have been held on Wednesday, Xavier would
have had a home game against No. 24 Avondale La Joya. Whether that situation becomes
a reality will be determined by the outcomes of the remaining games this week.
A win over
Hamilton on Friday could move the Gators up a notch to No. 8 and have them
avoid the play-in.
The state
tournament begins on Saturday, Feb. 9 and if it qualifies, Xavier would have to
play on the road.
Xavier coach
Barb Chura said it is quite evident why Perry is among the 6A’s elite.
“They’re
really good, they have some special players and they play at a high level,’’
she said.
“We had two
or three great opportunities (to score), but didn’t quite make it. I would say
that we competed really well, but we have to continue to do that. We have
improved quite a lot from where we started the season.
“We have to
continue to work hard and create more goal-scoring opportunities.’’
Perry scored
one goal in each half. The first came with 10:15 left in the first half on a penalty
kick. Goal No. 2 came early in the second half, on a deflection at the 37:45
mark.