As Highland boys soccer coach Rich Esperti commented moments after a section-title clinching win Wednesday night, the Hawks' schedule the final week of the regular season wasn't what he had in mind.

"This was our third game in three nights," Esperti said. "Our guys are battered and spent. But they battled and played great tonight."

The timing for a win coudn't have been better after losing on the road Monday to Sandra Day O'Connor (2-1) and tying Desert Mountain (1-1) away from home Tuesday. The fact that arch-rival Gilbert High was the third game of the three-pack may have given the Hawks the shot of adrenalin needed to persevere. Highland tried to have a weather makeup game with Desert Mountain switched to a day last week, but it wasn't able to be worked out. The contest was inserted between the regularly-scheduled games of Monday and Wednesday this week.

Peysen Webster and Raphaello Colasito scored seven minutes apart early in the first half to lead Highland to a 2-0 win over Gilbert in the Division I finale for both schools at Gilbert.

Highland, No. 7 in the power rankings when the day began, improved to 12-3-2 overall and has a final power-ranking record of 8-2-2 that should keep the Hawks in the top eight for the first round of the state tournament that begins Feb. 3. The top eight seeds host games in the first round. Gilbert, No. 3 in the latest rankings, is 13-5 overall and 10-2 in prg. The Tigers had won six of seven games since play resumed in January. All six wins were by shutout.

Highland hasn't produced many quick getaways this season, but Esperti was pumped that happened in this one. Webster made it 1-0 converting a header off a free kick by Colasito in the seventh minute. Colasito found the back of the net in the 13th minute, hammering a shot home from about 35 yards out off an assist by Chris Boyd. 

"The only time I remember getting two goals fairly quickly was our second game against Tolleson (also  a 2-0 win)," Esperti said. "I think we got those in the first 16 minutes."

Esperti was most pleased with his team's defensive effort. Gilbert's game is not a patient, possession style. The Tigers like the long ball and Highland limited their opportunities by doing what they do well.

"They like the ball in the air and we're pretty good in the air," Esperti said. "We weren't that good in that area the last two games, but we played the way we usually do in that facet tonight."

Highland dominated play in the opening half and was challenged more often early in the second half.

"A 2-0 lead is the most dangerous to protect," Esperti said. "After the first 12 minutes of the second half, we played defense like we did the first half. I'm glad we have some time off now."