(GILBERT, Ariz.) Top-ranked Gilbert Christian found a way to win on Tuesday, scraping by No. 16 ALA-West Foothills 1-0 to advance to the 2025 AIA Boys Soccer State Championship Quarterfinals. The Knights were propelled to victory by senior Caleb Barnett's goal, and a ferocious effort from the entire defensive lineup.  

"We played well but struggled to find the net," Head Coach Devon Dickinson said. "ALA-West Foothills was well-coached and prepared for our attack. I believe that this was the first half that we have been shut out all year, and it was the only game where we only scored one goal. We kept our cool though, and for the most part, played composed. We took care of business when it counted. Welcome to the playoffs!"

The Knights' lone score came with 10:20 remaining in the contest, after nearly 70-minutes of stalemate. Senior Brody Moore got the play started, firing a ball from the right side into the middle, which ricocheted off of a Guardians' defender to Barnett on the 30-yard line. Barnett put one touch on the ball to create a gap, maneuvered around his defender and blasted a shot across the field, past ALA-WF's goalie, and into the opposite corner. 

Junior keeper Hyatt Lang kept a clean slate on his end of things, to pick up the shutout win. 

Gilbert Christian moves to 13-0 with the victory. The Guardians finish 2024-25 at 5-6-1 overall. 

The Knights are scheduled to host No. 8 Palo Verde Magnet on Saturday, February 15th at 2:00pm. All fans will need a ticket to attend the game. Tickets can be purchased here.

-GO KNIGHTS-