Sahuarita goalkeeper Ashleigh Scott, right, collides with Cory Vega of Douglas on a first-half play near the goal box.

Dean Knuth / arizona daily star

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The Douglas girls soccer team was nervous at the start of its final pool-play game against Sahuarita in the Palo Verde Invitational on Monday.

Once the players settled down, the Bulldogs proved themselves to be the better team — at least for one day.

Douglas came out on top 2-1 in a highly anticipated contest between two of the state's top Class 4A-II teams.

With the victory, Douglas advanced to play Marana in today's championship game at Palo Verde at 9 a.m. Marana beat the tournament host 2-1 on Monday to advance to the final.

"We came out a little weak, and we were getting beat to the ball," Douglas coach Angelica Chavez said. "But we made some adjustments and seemed to get back into it."

The battle between the 4A-II Gila Region rivals did not disappoint.

"We were really well prepared for this game," Bulldogs forward Michelle Chavez said.

Although the game didn't count in the Gila Region standings, that is what Douglas was thinking about.

"This win means a lot," Douglas goalkeeper Elizabeth Clark said. "They are a big opponent in our (region), and we learned how to play them."

Clark made six saves in the game, with most coming in the last 10 minutes to preserve the lead. Sahuarita controlled play at the end, trying desperately to tie the score, but Clark said the Bulldogs knew how to handle the pressure.

Douglas took a 2-0 lead with goals by sophomores Leilani Skinner and Chavez.

Chavez's goal five minutes into the second half turned out to be the game-winner. Alexis Romero made a pass that Mustangs keeper Ashleigh Scott narrowly missed getting a handle on, and Chavez had an easy finish.

A goal by Lauren Feynar in the 68th minute seemed to give the Mustangs new life, but they were unable to get another ball past Clark.

In today's final, Angelica Chavez said the Bulldogs need to maintain their focus.

"We need to keep on top of winning the ball and making better passes," Chavez said. "We seem to do a better job of that when we are calmer."