It wasn't  as easy a triumph as the previous three in the Division II boys soccer tournament for Salpointe Catholic, but it did suffice.

Apollo put up a valiant effort Satuday afternoon (Feb. 9) to derail the Lancers' superb play, but came out on the short end of a 2-0 match in the title game at Campo Verde High School.

Salpointe finished a great season with a 26-2 record in winning its second consecutive D-II crown.The Lancers outscored their four opponents 20-1 in one of the more dominating title runs ever. Apollo capped a fine tournament considering it was the No. 14 seed. The Hawks finished up 14-9-1, winning three one-goal decisions on the way to the final and giving Salpointe something to contend with in the title game 

For Salpointe it was the sixth championship in the 31-year career of legendary coach Wolfgang Weber, the only boys soccer coach in school history. Weber is now tied with Cactus' Jack Altersitz for the most boys soccer crowns in state history.

"It hasn't sunk in yet," Weber said of his record-tying title. I've been doing this a long time. It took decades to do this. But it never gets old."

Sophomore midfielder Gavino Carranza, who scored a hat-trick in the semifinal win over Queen Creek, gave Salpointe a 1-0 lead in the 47th minute with his 18th goal of the season. Carranza buried a shot in the upper right post to ease the Lancers' tension. Thre minutes later Apollo's Andy Alanis received a yellow card and a few seconds later a red meaning he was ejected. Apollo played a man down the final 30 minutes.

Apollo picked up four more yellow cards in the half, but still managed to keep it 1-0 to the final minutes. The Hawks also suffered some frustration from three quality saves by Salpointe keeper Taylor Anderson -- two in the second half. Salpointe put the match on ice in the 77th minute when senior Colin O'Brien (19th goal) tallied from 30 yards out on a free kick.

The outcome -- unlike the prior three Salpointe playoff games -- was in doubt to the second half and beyond. Apollo goalkeeper Steven Flores turned in an MVP-type effort the first half to keep it a scoreless tie. Flores made five great- to-sensational saves to keep Salpointe's potent attack at bay. Weber saw bewilderment on the faces of his players fas they conversed at intermission.

"Apollo was a formidable opponent and we hadn't seed that," Weber said. "We looked a little frustrated. ..."We rolled up our sleeves in the second half and got it done."

Weber said this year's team, given its level of play throughout the season, is one of he best he's cocahed in his career.

Five seniors on the varsity since their freshman year (Sergio Anaya, Christian Garcia, Arturo Vega, Thomas Hope and O'Brien), enjoyed a fine four-year run -- two titles, a semifinal finish and a quarterfinal finish.

"At halftime I didn't say much," Weber said. "The work is all done in the training. You have to have confidence in your players when the game is going."