AZ BOYS: Tucson Salpointe Catholic Wins Division II State Title

Junior attackman Cameron Wilhite scored two goals in the final three minutes of regulation to lead top-seeded Tucson Salpointe Catholic to a thrilling, come-from-behind, 10-9 victory over second-seeded Horizon in the Arizona Youth Lacrosse League Division II state championship game Saturday.

Wilhite, who finished with six points on four goals and two assists, overturned a 9-8 Horizon lead with his two late goals to ensure the Lancers (12-0) would finish their second season as a varsity program with a perfect record.

Salpointe trailed by as many as four goals in the third quarter before storming back to finish the game on a 6-1 run.

“It’s all about heart,” Salpointe co-head coach Dean Greenberg said. “They just believed they were going to win, and they’re in incredible shape. They’re good guys, who work hard and do what we tell them.”

Junior attackman Matthew Greenberg and junior middie Paul Montano each added a pair of goals, and sophomore middie Kyle Bakewell and junior middie Bobby Way both scored once for Salpointe.

Horizon finished its season 10-3.

Horizon led 6-4 at halftime, an edge it increased to 8-4 in the third quarter. But Salpointe finished the third quarter with three straight goals to pull within 8-7.

After Wilhite’s two goals gave Salpointe the lead, the Lancers won the ensuing face-off late in regulation before Horizon forced a turnover with a stick-check. But Horizon threw the ball away on its next possession, and Salpointe ran out the clock to secure its first title.

“When we scored those three goals to make it 8-7, we had all the energy,” Dean Greenberg said. “Our guys came out in the fourth quarter and said, ‘This is ours.’”