Xavier Prep didn’t appear to panic when its opponent tied the match late in their state semifinal match.

The Gators just kept shooting until their shots found their mark. When it was over, and Xavier defeated visiting Desert Vista 3-1 Wednesday, the Gators also found themselves back in the 6A title game.

On Saturday, the Xavier girls will attempt to become just the third big Arizona high school to four-peat. Standing in their way of history is a team that didn’t allow the Gators to score during their Feb. 1 meeting, Premier Region foe Hamilton.

That match ended in a scoreless tie just like Xavier’s Dec. 5 meeting with Desert Vista (13-6-2). It took the semifinalists 118 minutes before somebody finally scored in their two matches.

But it was well worth the wait. After a three pass sequence by teammates, Lourdes Lauterborn, one of Xavier’s stars, took four touches before releasing an 18-yarder that crossed the goal line despite Desert Vista goalkeeper’s best efforts.

“Ally (Brown) plays me a perfect ball into space. I take a touch inside and hit it lefty,” Lauterborn said. “I think it hit the post and bounced back out, but it just goes right in. I was like, ‘no way.’ But I was so excited.”

But Desert Vista was awarded a penalty kick in the 66th minute, which Tatiana Saunders converted to tie the match.

That was just the fourth goal that Xavier (12-0-3) has allowed this season.

Saunders’ speed on the right wing stood out during a first half in which her team’s spirited performance kept Xavier from scoring. But Madison Schenk helped dash Desert Vista’s hopes of advancing when she showed off her left foot and precision after receiving a pass from Lucy Brink.

From the right side of the box, and with her non-dominant foot, Schenk curled in a shot for Xavier’s second goal in the 73rd minute.

“A lifetime moment,” Schenk said. “It helped get us to the final, and now we’ve got a job to finish.”

Less than two minutes later, Brink added the final touch off a rebound for Xavier’s final goal. Xavier unofficially outshot Desert Vista 20-9. 

“The program is so consistent,” said Xavier coach Barb Chura, now in her 21st season at the helm. “The players are really good. It’s about doing the right things. Who do you want? I don’t think it matters at this point. You have to beat somebody to get the title.”