Matt Finders is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Metro Tech High School for AZPreps365.com 

Clinical and relentless. The Metro Tech boys’ soccer team took down South Mountain High School who hosted their final game of the regular season in dominant fashion. 

The Metro Tech Knights came into the game with a 9-1-1 record on the season hoping to dominate the struggling South Mountain Jaguars who ranked last in the 5A Metro region. And for much of the game, they did just that. 

Coming off the massive win last Friday over Betty H. Fairfax that guaranteed themselves as champions of the 5A Metro region, the Knights could have easily taken their foot off the gas pedal, but instead they pressed down even harder. 

With the 4-1 victory at South Mountain High, Metro Tech solidified themselves at the top with an undefeated 6-0 record within their region.  

The first half was a game of runs with each team dominating possession over different stretches in the period. 

Metro Tech began by laying on the pressure with several shots and a majority of possession throughout the first half.  

The first roar came in the 10th minute of play when a cross from Alexis Hernandez on the right wing found its way into the box before Diego Valadez Dominguez put it away. 

Another cheer came shortly thereafter when the Knights took advantage of a loss in possession by the Jaguars and the counter attacking Brayan Duran played a pass to the winger, Miguel Garfio Parra for an easy finish in the 13th minute. 

“I think counterattacks are one of our strongest points as a team,” assistant coach Miguel Garfio said. 

With a 2-0 advantage after 15 minutes of play, some thought the game would be wrapped up quickly, but South Mountain refused to go down without a fight. 

A penalty was awarded to the Jaguars in the 16th minute and after Victor Rojo slotted it into the bottom left corner, it was game on again at 2-1.  

Though South Mountain was on the front foot following the penalty finish and saw several chances in the time after the goal, Metro Tech stood firm defensively avoiding any further damage. 

“I think we didn’t feel much pressure to be honest,” center back and captain Luis Hernandez said. “Even though we started off a little rough, the defense was solid and held it down.” 

Set pieces later became the primary mode of attack for Metro Tech as they tacked on another two goals off corner kicks.  

Hernandez provided the first in a cross from Jesus Garfio Teran to retake a two-goal lead heading into the half and the second came in the 51st minute when Edgar Urrutia assisted Brayan Duran to make it 4-1. 

With the win over South Mountain, Metro Tech finishes the regular season with a 10-1-1 record overall and a 10-1 record in conference play.  

They are also the sixth ranked team in 5A and look to keep this momentum heading into the state championship tournament. 

“This year we started by winning the [PXU Boys’ Invitational Tournament] and we beat a lot of the 6A schools so that brought up their motivation a lot,” Head Coach Erika Parra said. “And today they’re Metro Region Champions, so let’s see how we do in the playoffs.”