Megan Tinsley played sports with five brothers, four of them older. She's not fazed by a head-on collision with someone a few inches taller.

Tinsley remained in the game while the Salinas player had to leave for a bit. That was good news for the Sacred Heart Prep girls soccer team. 

With under two minutes remaining to play, Tinsley sent a through pass that Iris O'Connor turned into the only goal of the Central Coast Section Division IV championship match Saturday at Fremont High in Sunnyvale.

The Gators' 1-0 victory over the Cowboys gave them back-to-back Division IV titles.

"We're a tough team," said Tinsley, sporting an ice pack on her right arm. "We don't back down when we're going after a ball. I saw her coming at me and just tried to chip it past her. The next thing I know I'm on the ground. That's the way it goes sometimes."

Tinsley said it was a much more physical game than she expected, though it didn't change a thing as Sacred Heart Prep kept the same mindset and worked until something clicked.

"It was a great pass from Megan," O'Connor said of her shot that bounced off the post and into the net. "I didn't think it would go in. I thought maybe it was wide."

The Gators (10-6-6) managed to win the section title despite losing four seniors to season-ending injuries. Josie Crockett and Isabella Jordan were the only seniors who saw playing time and they shared the field with five juniors, three sophomores and three freshmen.

"It was hard losing the seniors," said O'Connor, a freshman. "The core of the team became juniors and underclassmen. We're not exactly a young team but going through this season will help us in future years."

Freshmen Sydney Adas helped develop several scoring opportunities along with Jordan for SHP, while sophomores Sofia Moretti, the goalie, Handley Twichell and Ellie Brew (all younger siblings to other SHP soccer players) played steadfast defense.

Moretti made one spectacular save late in the first half, coming out of the net to first block a shot and then pounce on a loose ball. Jordan's shot midway through the second half was saved by a sensational effort by the Salinas goalie. 

"It's tragic the seniors had season-ending injuries but they also stayed with us, coming to practice, to games and always supporting us," Tinsley said. "We were playing for the seniors."

Sasha Bellack, Nora Brew, Nikki Molumphy, Ella Sheehan and a fifth injured senior, Jackie Leschin, did what they could while leaning on crutches.

"We talked about being warriors, being the next man up," SHP coach Ramiro Arredondo said. "The seniors showed great leadership and strength. They were always there as part of the culture. They were a little bit mentors and a little bit cheerleaders."

Juniors like Tinsley, Juliana Rosen, Fiona Perkocha, Lilly Lynch and Elle Lessing all took over leading roles. Lynch and Lessing were all over the field, primarily as defenders but also in attack mode. Rosen and Perkocha were usually in the mix offensively. Perkocha and Rosen each had a near goal.

"The seniors, with all their wisdom, helped bring the best out of us," O'Connor said. "They helped us become who we are."