If the difficulty of an achievement increases its value, then the Region II trophy that the Ramstein Lady Royals won Saturday with a 3-1 victory over previously unbeaten Wiesbaden should be worth its weight in gold.

At least to hear Ramstein coach Ricardo Buitrago tell it. "This has to be one of most exciting, hard-fought games of the season," Buitrago said in a Saturday e-mail about the teams’ prom-day showdown. "Wiesbaden demonstrated the drive, determination and talent to challenge any opponent."

Goals by Alana Sciuto and Toni Gaisford put Ramstein (7-0-0, 5-0-0) up 2-0 after 20 minutes, but Wiesbaden’s Celina Ponte got one of those back before halftime, and the teams found the going tough thereafter. Bryonna Bowen, Mackenzie Crews and Sydnie Reynolds drew praise for their defensive play in front of Ramstein goalkeeper Terri Leigh Obermiller, who made 12 saves. Wiesbaden’s Samantha Ryan turned back 17 shots, and her defense, led by Andy Thomas, allowed Ramstein few chances, Buitrago reported.

It turned, he wrote, when Ramstein’s Italia Rivera drove the ball down the right sideline and launched a cross into the box that Ryan mishandled enough for Sarah Honchul to put in for an insurance goal. "It was an emotional, intense game," Buitrago said, adding that his squad was battling key injuries and absences, including starters who were preparing for the evening’s dance.

Wiesbaden (5-1-1, 4-1-0) could get another crack at Ramstein during this week’s European Division I girls tournament, which will be played Wednesday through Saturday at Ramstein.

In other girls soccer games of note Saturday:

Patch 7, Ansbach 0: At Stuttgart, the Lady Panthers (7-0-0, 6-0-0) wrapped up an unbeaten season and the Region III title as seven players scored in a courtesy-rule game that ended at halftime. All-European Nellie Loney and teammate Heidi Heber each assisted on two goals for Patch, which had 10 players score one goal each the previous week.

Next for Patch is the European D-I tournament. Ansbach (0-7-0, 0-6-0) is set for the D-II event.

Naples 3, AOSR 1: At Naples, Haylea Witz scored twice to lead the Lady Wildcats to a regular-season mark of 5-2-0. American Overseas School of Rome (0-6-1) will join Naples in this week’s European D-II tournament.

Kaiserslautern 1, Bitburg 1: At Bitburg, Kaiserslautern’s Olivia McQuail converted her penalty kick and Bitburg’s Kayla Johnson didn’t, preserving the tie. K-town enters this week’s D-I tournament with a 2-2-3 overall record. Bitburg, which got its goal from Averi Goetz, is 1-4-2 going into the D-II tournament.

Mannheim 1, Baumholder 1: At Baumholder, the Lady Bucs earned their first point of the season behind Ciara Toone’s goal and a defense in front of goalkeeper Brianni Vantassel that allowed a lone score by Mannheim All-European Alanna Crockwell.

Both teams are entered in this week’s Division II tournament.

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