Girls HS soccer: Is Chaparral's win over Red Mountain glimpse of things to come in 6A?

The Red Mountain girls soccer team (3-2) kept up with Chaparral (4-0-2) through overtime in a top-10 showdown, but ultimately fell short agianst the Firebirds, a program that has appeared in five consecutive state championship games.

Thursday's 6A clash may have been a preview of things to come between Red Mountain and Chaparral, ranked No. 4 and 5 respectively going into their match.

For the Firebirds, this season is a road to redemption after losing their chance at a fifth straight title last year, falling to Xavier in the final. Chaparral had won the previous two 6A championships and two before that in 5A.

Red Mountain is trying to break through in a tough 6A field that this year includes top-ranked teams Liberty, Perry, Desert Vista and Hamilton, among others.

Chaparral's victory Thursday was fueled by junior forward Sami Fisher's stellar offensive performance. Fisher's back-to-back goals in overtime secured the team's 3-1 win.

"It's contagious," Chaparral coach Robyn Carlson said. "Her (Fisher's) play out there, when she gets her mind to it, creates a lot of opportunities for the other girls and they capitalize on that."

After her two overtime goals, Fisher was injured and a timeout was called. The Firebirds looked on with concern as Fisher's leg was inspected by the trainer, eventually grabbing Fisher's water bottle from the sidelines and running it over to where she lay on the field.

Even though these girls come from different club teams, their connection was palpable in that moment.

Fisher walked off under her own power and sat out the remaining seven minutes of the game.

The Lions allowed more than 20 shot attempts on the night, but only conceded three goals.

"Working against top talent and top teams is what we want to do," Red Mountain coach Vincent Gallegos said. "To be able to go with them 0-0 all the way (through the first half) and have to go to overtime — that's pretty good."

Gallegos is adamant that Red Mountain has the talent and technique to win games, but needs to work on their "competitive drive" to push through tough situations against a team like Chaparral.

Within the first 10 minutes of the second half, two scores were on the board: a goal by Chaparral's senior forward Madeline Bertram and another by Red Mountain's junior forward Jaimie Rusnak, a relief from the scoreless first half.

Chaparral's defense dominated the first half, allowing only one shot attempt by Red Mountain.

"You can't control everything," Red Mountain senior goalkeeper Lainey Orrick said. "But you still have to work your hardest and play until the clock runs out."

By the second half, both teams picked up momentum offensively and visibly played tougher.

"I think we were able to bring up our physicality, which is what we wanted to do," Gallegos said. "So I think that is what I would say we did well."

Red Mountain was issued two yellow cards: one against senior midfielder Neshma Rodriguez and another against senior defender Alyssa Garcia Avalos.

Despite the loss, Orrick is confident that Red Mountain is a serious 6A contender.

"We have the want," Orrick said. "We work hard every single day in practice and play our hardest in games."

Carlson shares the sentiment with her Firebirds, believing that they showcased their heart and energy against the Lions.

"From the girls on the field to the bench, they just all lifted the whole level up. They all had that intensity, that drive and that want to win and help each other."

Chaparral will need to channel that energy even further to get back to the 6A championship once again. Five of its next six games feature top-20 ranked teams. The Firebirds will close out the regular against the undefeated No. 1 Liberty Lions.

The Red Mountain Lions have a slightly easier road ahead of them. Besides its next game against Queen Creek, Red Mountain will play teams with records of .500 and lower for the remainder of the season.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Red Mountain vs. Chaparral girls varsity soccer