On of the state’s most explosive girls soccer rivalries will take center stage today as Central Region foes Tempe Corona del Sol and Phoenix Desert Vista will square off in the championship game of the Tempe Diablo Classic.

Corona, which has won the celebrated early-season tournament the previous two years, defeated Mesa Dobson 4-0 to advance while Desert Vista got past Gilbert 2-0 for a spot in the title game.

Squaring off in a meaningful game is nothing new for the two talented programs — the teams met five times last year, with the Aztecs winning four of those.

“I know they’re going to come out and play us tough,” Corona coach Matt Smith said. “We were lucky to get out and beat them 1-0 last year in a game they very well could have won.”

The two squads also met in the state title game last season with the Aztecs edging out the Thunder 2-0. One of the two teams has won the state championship the previous three years and at least one team had advanced to the title game the past four.

“It’s always a fun game. Some of my best friends are on their team,” Desert Vista midfielder Carley Myers said. “We just need to get doing what we’ve been doing and continue to build our chemistry.”

Both teams seemed on top of their games Thursday. Corona jumped out to an early lead against Dobson, scoring three goals in the first 17 minutes, letting one of the deeper teams in the state sag back on defense while staying aggressive with their strikers.

Courtney Mayers paced the Aztecs with two goals and Este Rea and Lexis Schroeder added scores in the win.

“I’m happy with our energy and our effort,” Smith said. “We jumped out and we were able to do that pretty early, that’s important for us.

“It’s tough to go through five games in five days if you don’t have a lot of kids playing.”

The road wasn’t all covered in roses for the Aztecs as goalkeeper Hailey Hayes went down in the final minutes of the game after colliding with two players on a breakaway. Hayes, who shut down the Mustangs throughout the game, was dazed and Smith is not sure of her status for the championship game.

The win wasn’t as easy for the Thunder, who had trouble scoring despite solid control of midfield throughout.

However, in the final minute of the first half, Myers directed a precise corner kick to Sarah Dutton for the header to give Desert Vista the 1-0 halftime lead.

Myers added the Thunder’s final goal midway through the second half with a looping shot from 35 yards away.

Desert Vista will need to continue its aggressive play in midfield to have a chance against the talented, athletic Aztec strikers.

The title game is 6 p.m. today at the Tempe Sports Complex.