The Scottsdale Chaparral girls soccer team won its third straight state title, topping unbeaten Gilbert Perry 2-1 on Thursday night. 

Weather played an undeniable part in this one, the Conference 6A final. Rain poured all game. Just about everyone in attendance brought an umbrella, a poncho or some other form of cover.

“The impact (from the weather) is more mental than anything. It’s really cold and really wet,” Chaparral back Keeley Bond said. “But we try and lift each other up and remember that we’re all in this together.”

Thursday’s match at Campo Verde High was the first meeting of the season between the two teams. 

Entering the state title showdown, Perry had only given up one goal all season, and that was back in late November. But 23 minutes into the game, Bond made her way up the pitch into the Perry box and scored the only goal of the half.

Bond played club soccer her first three years of high school, so playing in the state title game was a first for her.

“I was really glad I played senior year. I thought that would be a good way to end my (high school) career,” Bond said. “And to end it like this is the cherry on top.”

Perry had chances to score in the second half, but only a few. The weather made it difficult for both teams to control the ball for long enough stretches, but Chaparral capitalized on set-piece opportunities.

“Set pieces are huge in a game like this,” Chaparral coach Robyn Carlson said. “We practice them a lot. Sometimes they don’t capitalize, but tonight they did.” 

Bond scored again, this time on a corner kick, to put the game away.

“We had a pretty tough schedule, which really helped us in the end,” Carlson said. “They have a great goalkeeper, and we have a great team, too, so we just kept at it.”

A Perry goal from Mikella Reed in the final minute wasn’t enough to mount any serious comeback.

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