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The Arizona Rush's run of good fortune ran out Sunday night at the last stop — the Women's Premier Soccer League final.

Tucson's semi-pro soccer team lost to Los Angeles-based Ajax America 3-1 in the league's title game at Natomas High School in Sacramento, Calif.

The Rush led 1-0 on a first-half goal by Kelly Nelson, but Ajax America tied the match before halftime and scored again within the first five minutes of the second half.

"We're so proud," Rush coach Chris Fernandez said in a phone interview. "The team was in tears afterward. We felt we had the team to win it."

The first-year team had reason to believe. The Rush finished second in the Big Sky North division, but made the playoffs only because Oklahoma Alliance FC could not afford the trip to Utah for the quarterfinal round.

The Rush (10-2-3) defeated the Utah Spiders to reach the Final Four. Saturday night, the team improbably rallied for two goals in the final seven minutes to defeat the New England Mutiny 2-1 in the semifinal.

Nelson, a UA graduate, tied the game from 30 yards with seven minutes left. Alexandra Balcer added the winner two minutes later.

After Saturday night's finish, Fernandez thought the team was destined for a better outcome Sunday.

"I loved our chances," he said. "We knew the difference between the two teams would be experience, but we felt we had the talent and the athleticism to beat them."

Friday, two Rush players — forward Jessica McDonald and defender Nancy Goffi — were named to the All-WPSL first team.

After driving back to Tucson today — a trip that figures to take 14 hours — members of the Rush will scatter, many heading off to play college soccer.

The team plans on competing in the WPSL again next season.

"For our first year, to be where we are, it's unbelievable," Fernandez said.