Host Mesa High had the match going the way it wanted pretty much all night on Friday. Only managing one goal, however, with the multitude of chances it had came back to haunt  in the final minutes.

Chaparral dug in the final 30 minutes or so of regulation and managed to deliver the tying goal with time running out. That earned the Firebirds a 1-1 tie in a Division I boys soccer contest that finished that way after the teams could not score in the two 10-minute overtime periods.

Chaparral's Joey Skorish, one of 10 seniors on the squad, but one of only two available Friday to coach Jason Speirs, beat Mesa's defense and keeper from about 25 yards out in the 75th minute. Mesa at least doubled Chaparral in shots on goal over the course of regulation.

"I told them I thought we gave Mesa too much respect in the first half and to challenge more," Speirs said. "When Mesa scored to go up 1-0, I told them I didn't care if we lost 3-0, just go all-out to the end."

Mesa had eight shots on goal to one for Chaparral in the first half. That didn't matter on the scoreboard as Mesa failed to convert on any of its shots. Mesa didn't wait long to break through in the second half, tallying in the 43rd minute. Earning a corner kick, Mesa's attempt was defended, but the Jackrabbits' Jesus Tapia gained possession in the boxand was able to  rifle a shot past Chaparral keeper Bret Nash.

Mesa (9-4 overall, 7-3 power-ranking matches) rested at No. 5 in the D-I power-rankings heading into the match whlle Chaparral (12-4-3, 6-2-3 was at No. 10. Mesa coach TJ Hagen was frustrated with the tie, but not beside himself.

"I wouldn't say we dominated tonight, but we had the run of play for the most part," Hagen said. "A tie will be good for us in the long term, but it doesn't feel good right now. We've played  top 10 teams toe to toe. We;ve played well against them, so I don't think this will hurt us much in staying in the top eight."

Mesa has wins over Gilbert and Chandler and losses to Brophy and Highland -- matches vs. current top-10 teams. Mesa closes the regular season next week at Skyline on Monday and at Desert Ridge on Wednesday. Chaparral finishes the regular season on the road Tuesday against Mesa Mountain View.