The inaugural 2025 Open girls soccer championship was a battle between juggernauts Casteel, the No. 1 seed, and No. 3 Xavier Prep, a team that had won four titles in a row.  

Make that five.

For the second playoff game in a row, the Xavier Gators used a final minute goal to win in dramatic fashion. Xavier won the hard-fought clash 2-1 Saturday at Mesa High.  

Right when everybody least expected it, Xavier Prep attacked to finish the first 10-minute overtime period with a Lainey Swanson blast right into the top corner for a 21-yard left-footed buzzer beater. It turned out to be the game-winner. 

“It’s not where you start; it’s where you end. Everyone has gotten better throughout the season, and it’s a long season,” Xavier Prep coach Barbara Chura said.

With a combined record of 39-2 coming into this game, the expectations were high, yet Casteel and Xavier somehow surpassed them.

Xavier got off to a quick 1-0 start when Lainey Swanson scored after a 20-yard strike to the far post within the first ten minutes.

As the intensity increased, things started to get chippy. It didn’t help matters that the teams played under some poor weather conditions.

Wind gusts of up to 32 mph made it difficult for either team to establish possession.

Determined to find the equalizer before halftime, Casteel started to press and attack often. With 11 minutes left in the half, Casteel thought it scored when an inswinging corner kick was headed in.

But the ball passed the end line before it swerved back in, and the sideline official immediately made the call.  

Shortly after, Casteel had another close call, hitting the crossbar. The score remained 1-0 going into halftime.

The second half started how the first half ended, with Casteel applying a lot of pressure, dominating possession and attacking. Its efforts were rewarded with 16 minutes left, when Brooklyn Jones found the equalizer, scoring a screamer of a free kick from nearly 30 yards out.

With the game tied 1-1 and little time left in regulation, both sides attacked but no real scoring opportunities presented itself.

Overtime was once again a back and forth affair until Swanson’s final second heroics just before the first OT ended. 

In the second OT session, Casteel tried to attack, but Xavier’s defense held strong and closed it off.

For Chura, this was her 10th title at Xavier. When asked about the key to all of the success she’s had, she emphasized the importance of team building and chemistry.

“I can’t tell you how much time we spend on team chemistry,” she said. “To me it’s the difference maker. We do it every year. Winning is really fun, but the things we try to teach off the field is what’s really important.