It was a slimmest of margins, but Ashley Pearce’s second-half goal was sufficient to send Scottsdale Christian to the 3A girls title game after a 2-1 win against AZ College Prep.

Both sides traded scores early in the match, with Esther Graham putting Scottsdale Christian up within four minutes. Then, four minutes later, Lauren Kec converted the equalizer for the Knights.

“We were on the offense and attack,” Eagles coach Mike Phillipp said. “We controlled most of the game, however they’re a very good team, and I’m thinking we’ve got to get another goal. One more wins it and that’s what happened.”

In a tight second half, the Eagles were visibly on top, but struggled to put away their chances.

Instead, it fell to Pearce to convert with a header off a corner.

“My coach made me stand somewhere he’s never made me stand during a corner, so I was kind of freaking out,” Pearce said. “I just saw it and was like ‘ok’. I just kind of blacked out.”

Pearce went on to earn her side a spot kick that could have sealed the game ten minutes from time, but Grace Waggoner was unable to keep her effort down on target.

Despite their loss, Knights coach Hector Rivera still took positives from the match.

“I’m so, so proud of their attitude,” he said. “We were fighting until the last minute. We never gave up. We were never victims to any of the situations that were happening on the field and we just fought through it.”

Now, Scottsdale Christian will face top-seeded Northwest Christian less than 24 hours later for the 3A crown. Given that he has just a handful of girls on the bench, could the quick turnaround be a step too far for the squad

“Girls, we have lots of ice ready for tomorrow?,” Phillipp shouted to his team. “Yes, I wish the AIA would kind of logistically do a better job of having the semifinal and final back-to-back, but it is what it is.”