Highland wasn't used to playing from behind very often  this season, but in its biggest game of the year to date it did just fine.

After spottiing Xavier a 1-0 lead 10 minutes into the match, the Hawks came back for three second-half goals and eliminated No. 2 seed Xavier, 3-1 in the Divsion I girls soccer semifinals Thursday night at Campo Verde High School.

It's Highland's first appearance in a title match. The Hawks raised their season record to 20-1-3 and will face Hamilton, a 1-0 winner over Pinnace in Thursday's other semifinal, on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. for the championship at Campo Verde. Xavier was bidding for its fourth straight title game appearance. Highland was eliminated in the 2010 semifinals by Xavier, a year Xavier went on to win its last title.

"We've been behind three  times this year," Highland coach John Berzins said. "We knew no matter what we had to stick to our identity. This was a win top to bottom. All the players on the field, all of them cheeriing on the bench."

Xavier scored a rather easy goal to break on top in the 11th minute. Sophomore midfielder Nichole Walts,, one of Xavier's top weapons,  scored from about 20 yards out off a throw in.

Xavier had a couple more good chances later in the half, with coach Barb Chura thinking the Gators could have had a 3-0 lead at intermission with a little luck here or there.

Highland came out much stronger in the second half and kept the pressure in Xavier's end most of the final 40 minutes. The Hawks tied it on a goal by Paige Morris off a thrown in from Jaden DeGracie in the 45th minute.

The go-ahead goal came at the 60th minute as Xaiver fouled Highland's Brena Jarvis just inside the box. Berzins called on freshman Brianna Hatch to attempt the penalty kick and Hatch nailed it to put the Hawks in front to stay.

"I know she is a freshman, but she is our most consistent player on PKs," Berzins said.

Highland added the final goal in the 73rd minute off a corner by DeGracie. Xavier deflected DeGracie's attempt, but it caromed to Molly Celler who hammered home a shot from 20 yards in the left corner of the net for the final margin. DeGracie's effort Thursday gives her 40 assists for the season. She specializes in the running-flip throw in, which the Hawks use her on extensively.

"We didn't do what we did all year tonight," Chura said. "I  don't think we played as good as I've seen us play. It's always a battle with Highland. Highland beats us, we beat Highland. It goes back and forth."