Salpointe's Blake Brennan, left, and Chris Marrone from Tucson High School battle for control of the ball during their game at Tucson. Brennan scored early in the second half for the game's only goal.

david sanders / arizona daily star

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Not much separated the two top Division 5A-I boys soccer teams Wednesday night. The game was decided 36 seconds into the second half on a timely header off a free kick.

"A lot of luck," Salpointe junior forward Blake Brennan said about how he scored the game's only goal in the Lancers' 1-0 victory over Tucson.

After a Tucson foul set up a free kick from about 45 yards, Philip Porter sent in a bending ball that Brennan redirected with his head from 8 yards.

Brennan said Tucson goalkeeper Martin Encinas was out of position and he himself was in the right place at the right time for the goal.

Salpointe coach Wolfgang Weber said Porter has been a weapon all year long on free kicks.

Weber also lauded the Lancers' defense.

"The kids played very decisive," Weber said. "First and foremost, we were excellent defensively and really limited their opportunities."

The victory was huge for the Lancers' confidence as well since they use four freshmen in their rotation.

"This was a big-time win," Brennan said. "We feel like this is the one team in the state that's in our way."

Weber said that the game basically had three different stretches.

The Badgers pretty much controlled the first 15 minutes, but Salpointe soon settled down. Weber felt his team had a few chances to add at least another goal to its lead in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Tucson then had a few chances at the end to tie it, but couldn't get it done.

The game was also very physical as two Badgers left the game and didn't return. Jay Weinman was lost early in the first half while Hunter Gilbert had to leave for good midway through the second.

Weber said what his team has learned this year, such as taking advantage in restart situations, has been huge for the soccer program.

"The lessons that the kids have learned will pay dividends for years to come," Weber said.