When one accomplishes something for the first time it's nice when lots of folks are there to share the moment. Such was the case Friday night (Feb. 8) for Campo Verde High.

With a raucous home crowd and an equally enthusiastic visitor's contingent from Mingus on hand, No. 4 Camp Verde made a first-half goal stand for a 1-0 triumph in the Division III girls soccer title game at Campo Verde High.

Campo Verde's student section poured on the field to help savor the moment -- Campo Verde's first-ever sports championship.  Students began chanting Campo, Campo, Campo as they engulfed the team for that initial crown of their school that opened in 2008. Mingus made it an event, too, as school administration let strudents out early to allow buses of fans to make the two-hour trip to Gilbert and root their school on to what they hoped would be their school's second girls soccer title. Mingus won a 4A-II title in 2010 beating Flagstaff.

Campo Verde (23-2-1) prevailed in similar if not identical fashion to its semifinal victory Tuesday over top-seed Verrado. Senior midfielder Shannon Costello booted in a rebound off a throw-in by Sebrina Rodriguez in the 22nd minute to supply the margin of victory. Costello tallied in the 37th minute of the semifinal win over Verrado -- also a 1-0 victory. Mingus, the No. 3 seed, finished the year 14-5. The goal Mingus allowed Friday night was the only one it allowed after posting shutouts the first three rounds.

"This is so surreal," Campo Verde coach Rosie Headley said, after failing to utter a word for a few seconds, but an ear-to-ear smile. "These girls deserved it."

Campo Verde, which allowed 11 goals all season and won three of its playoff games by one goal, controlled play the entire first half and only in the final 10 minutes or so was Mingus able to muster some real pressure. Mingus did have some opportunities early in the second half, but dribbled too much or didn't have players in the right position at key moments. A cross near the midpoint of the second half rolled across the goal box and out of play with no forward there for a clear shot. Other than that it was Campo Verde's game....

"My coaching style is possession and finding feet," Headley said. "They've embraced it all season."

Costello wouldn't take credit for scoring the game's lone goal, calling it a  "team thing", a team goal. Costello did actually knock it in, but since a couple other teammates got a crack at it first off the same throw-in, she deflected praise.

"We worked hard for this," Costello said. "I think this sets a foundation our school can build on."

Campo Verde suffered a blow four minutes in to the game when junior standout Meg McDowell crumpled to the ground with a right-knee injury. She was helped off the field. She began jogging a few minutes later on the sideline, but collapsed again. Headley said after the game the injury was a torn anterior cruciate ligament. McDowell, her knee encased in a brace, still found a smile with her team's ultimate triumph. 

Costello said the team picked up for McDowell, as it usually does with its depth.

"We're as strong off the bench as we are on the field," Costello said.