Dorian Zavala is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Saguaro High School for AZPreps365.com.

With an active 10-game win streak, the Saguaro High Sabercats soccer team will look to extend its winning streak come the soccer State Championship Tournament opening round.

Sabercats senior forward Jack Dunlop expressed the team's desire to make sure they had a different outcome than last season.

"We had a heartbreaking loss last year in the second round last year so this year we are all motivated to finish this run ... every game we want that golden ball," said Dunlop.

The Sabercats are ranked second in the 4A Desert Sky region, led by Dunlop, senior midfielder Anthony Ponce and a core of student-athletes that have been with the program for the last four years.

"This group of guys has been together now for four years so they are dedicated to this goal and have worked hard this season to get to this point," said coach Nagui Sabbagh.

Currently, Dunlop leads the region with 23 goals and eight assists, while Ponce is presently ranked third in assists and fourth in goals.

"The chemistry we have with each other makes it easier for me to get passes to my forwards like Jack ... they make it easier," said Ponce.

And chemistry on the pitch is what they have shown, over the last 10 games they have outscored their opponents 53-7.

The Sabercats had an incredible season, but the only blemish came against the game versus Bradshaw Mountain Bears when Sabbagh pulled his team off the pitch because he felt his team was not getting calls, putting his team at risk of serious injuries.

"I pulled my team because I felt my guys weren't getting calls on the field. I was concerned and let the referee know, but without any warning, he gave me a red card, so that is when I decided to take my guys off the field," said Sabbagh.

The boys did not seem worried or bothered about that loss. Instead, they seemed more focused on what was ahead for them in the upcoming tournament.

"We are focused on what is ahead for us, the loss bothered us when it happened, but it did not carry with us the rest of the season ... We want to win it all this year," said Dunlop.

With the start of the tournament still weeks away, the Sabercats will have to train and wait until they find out who their opponent will be in the opening round.

When speaking to Sabbagh about the length between the end of the season and the beginning of the playoff tournament, he found the scheduling odd but assured his team would be ready.

"The scheduling this year was a little odd but we will be ready to come game time. We are going to have to do things during practice to stay sharp, but these boys are ready to keep going," said Sabbagh.

The Sabercats will play their opening game of the AIA Soccer State Championships at home Feb. 14 at 6 p.m.