Many schools' goal is to win a state championship, but other goals come before that. Like the skin-tight, section-title race in boys soccer waged at present among four teams in Division I Section I -- Corona del Sol, Campo Verde, Hamilton  and Chandler.

With the regular season down to one week and a precious couple matches, Hamilton and Campo Verde began a four-game stretch of matches among the contenders Thursday night that will decide a section champ. This night it was Hamilton staying in the thick of the chase with a 2-0 triumph over Campo Verde, spoiling Campo Verde's Senior Night.

Hamilton scored both its goals in the second half -- one early and one late -- after controlling the first half but coming up empty. Senior Dylan Brown assisted both Hamilton goals. The first as he raced to the goal-line left of the box and slipped a cross to hard-charging Josh Drack who whistled it past Campo Verde's solid keeper, Justin Zimmerman. Zimmerman collected six saves in the opening half -- at least two likely goal-stoppers. Drack's goal was in the 46th minute and was Hamilton's first chance of the second half. The first five minutes of the half, Campo Verde (14-4-2 overall) was on the assault with a couple near goals. Hamilton had 10 shots on goal the first half to two for Campo Verde.

"We had a good rhythm the first half," Hamilton coach Nick Markette said. "It wasn't as good in the second half. We survived the first few minutes, and were able to break their pressure. That's what got us the first (goal)."

Hamilton maintained the 1-0 for the next 23 minutes. It added the second goal on Brown's nicely-delivered corner, headed in by sophomore Nick Mootz at the far post.

"We said at the half we needed to beat their keeper and we did twice," Campo Verde coach Drew Guarneri said. "The first one hit the post and the second was deflected by a defender. We made two mistakes and they scored on both. Still, I thought we played well. It's our first year in Division I, and most teams already in D-I wouldn't want the schedule we've played this year. Hamilton's been doing this for awhile. Experience does play a role."

Hamilton (12-3-2 overall, 6-1 in section matches), dropped a 3-2 decision on Tuesday night to section-leader Corona del Sol. The Aztecs scored in the final 20 seconds for the win in that one. The other matches likely to effect the race are Chandler (5-1 section) at Corona del Sol (5-0 section) on Friday (Jan. 22), Campo Verde (4-1-1 section) visits Corona del Sol on Monday (Jan. 25) and Campo Verde is on the road for its finale at Chandler on Wednesday (Jan. 27). Hamilton's final section game is Wednesday at Queen Creek and Corona's last section battle is Wednesday at home vs. Perry.