Rob Kleifield is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Chaparral High School for AZPreps365.com

Jeyson Aguirre had plenty of reason to celebrate on Tuesday night. Sandra Day O’Connor’s senior midfielder initiated the scoring in the first 10 minutes of a big-time showdown between two of Arizona’s juggernaut boys soccer programs. 

Aguirre also celebrated his 18th birthday. 

“(Jeyson) was really fired up,” Sandra Day O’Connor head coach George Archuleta said. “He was really pumped because he really wanted to do something for his team tonight.”

The Eagles (9-2), ranked No. 10 in 6A coming into Tuesday night’s match, secured a crucial 2-1 victory over No. 2-ranked Chaparral (8-1-2) on their home field. 

The win also clinched the 6A Desert Valley region title. 

“It’s exciting. We haven’t done it since I’ve been the coach,” said Archuleta, who’s led the Eagles for the past 10 seasons. “It’s a really awesome accomplishment…hopefully we can take the momentum into state.” 

Sandra Day O’Connor maintained possession early and often in the first half against the Firebirds, routinely working the ball across midfield, threatening to extend their lead on numerous occasions. 

But Chaparral goalkeeper Cole Johnson made the Eagles earn their keep.

Johnson’s confidence in the box prevented several good looks from being buried in the back of the net in the first half,  shutting down what could have turned out to be an ugly affair. 

“He’s solid. He never makes mistakes,” Chaparral head coach Jason Speirs said. “He’s got a strong mentality back there.”

The Firebirds offense finally awoke from its slumber with just over five minutes remaining in the first half when sophomore midfielder Blake Bernal rifled a shot past Eagles goalie Tyler Kirberg and knotted the score at 1-1. 

“We came out just a little flat-footed,” Speirs said. “(We) woke up a little too late…(and) our team just had the foot off the pedal.”

Chaparral’s Marcus Ille nearly piled in a second goal moments later but Kirberg rushed forward and got enough of his body on the ball to deflect it out of bounds. 

Aguirre’s early goal set the tone. So did his excellent field-vision and anticipation with the ball on his foot. Eventually, his teammates rallied around him.

“(Jeyson’s) a pretty skilled player,” Archuleta said. “When he opened up with that goal…I couldn’t even explain it. I’m so proud of him.”

The Eagles wasted no time trying to break the tie in the second half, quickly establishing control deep in Chaparral’s territory. However, the Firebirds answered valiantly, booming balls back to the other half of the field, not once, or twice, but three times within a matter of minutes. 

Chaparral’s defense couldn’t stave off the Eagles' attack forever, though. 

Sandra Day O’Connor junior defender Ryder Filippini stole the show with a beautiful left-footed strike from more than 18 yards out seven minutes into the second half, gifting his Eagles their second lead of the match. 

The home team never looked back. 

“Tonight (we) were positive. (We) worked hard, and did it as a unit,” Archuleta said. 

Sandra Day O’Connor’s offense pressured Chaparral’s defense just enough in the final 25 minutes to limit the Firebirds' scoring opportunities on the other end of the field. 

“They came out to win tonight,” said Speirs, who hopes the Firebirds will see the Eagles again in the postseason. “They were winning the 50-50 balls tonight. They were just hungrier.”

Chaparral fired off a handful of shots on target in the game’s waning moments, but the Eagles' defensive-minded approach in the second half proved to be too overwhelming for the Firebirds to overcome. 

“(We) just battled,” Archuleta said. “When (we) do that, I feel like (we’re) unstoppable.”

The Eagles will close out their regular season at Liberty (4-5-2) on Friday.  

Chaparral will travel to square off against Pinnacle (4-8) on the same day. 

Speirs is confident his team will bounce back. 

“I think tonight was a good learning experience for our team,” he said. “As long as they learn from it, we’ll be fine. And, you’ll see us in the semis or the finals.”