The 2003 Deseret News boys soccer MVPs may have served various purposes for their teams, but there's one thing they did have in common — an unrelenting desire to win.
One had an uncanny ability to score goals and create goals for teammates, another was a tireless worker in the midfield and the other just loved to prove people wrong. For all three, that meant hoisting a state championship trophy at the end of the season.
Layton's Kyle Christensen is this year's Class 5A MVP, while Roy's Shaun Woodfield is the Class 4A MVP and Waterford's Austin Bingham is the Class 3A MVP.
All three guided their respective schools to their first state championships.
KYLE CHRISTENSEN, Layton: Christensen's final high school goal really sums up his entire career at Layton High School — amazing. People are still talking about his 60-yard goal from midfield to open the second half of the 5A championship game.
The unforgettable goal essentially clinched Layton's title but also sent a shock wave of disbelief through the thousands of fans on hand. As improbable as the goal was, Christensen proved through the years that he's capable of anything.
"That was a wonderful way for him to end his high school career," said Layton coach Rick Talamantez. "It was just an unforgettable shot."
Christensen will be remembered for so much more than a single goal. In fact, there are 43 other reasons that Christensen was easily the Class 5A MVP. He recorded 27 goals and 17 assists for the Lancers, who finished the year with a 17-1 record.
"He is probably one of the most skillful players in the state, but along with that skill he has the knowledge of the game," said Talamantez.
Whether it was understanding what run he should make, or understanding what run his teammates should make, Christensen had the rare ability to read the game and, in turn, execute what his mind told him to do.
"Anyone with that much knowledge will be a great player," said Talamantez.
Layton almost missed out on Christensen's heroics.
When the Utah Salt Ratz men's amateur team was being formed early this year, Christensen thought long and hard about forgoing his final year of high school eligibility to join the team. After all, his friend and club teammate Bret Shimizu was doing it.
In the end though, the thought of playing with his younger brother Kellan, who started for Layton as a freshman this year, was just too much to pass up.
"We're going to miss him," said Talamantez. "He's a phenomenal player and one of the best players to come out of Layton High School."
SHAUN WOODFIELD, Roy: It's doubtful anyone ever has, or anyone ever will, duplicate the phenomenal season Roy's Woodfield turned in this year.
Not only was he a main cog on Roy's record-breaking defense that only surrendered six goals, but the senior defensive midfielder also led Class 4A with 13 goals. Five of those goals came during the Royals' march through the 4A tournament.
"What's a defensive midfielder doing scoring that many goals?" said Roy coach David Sanders.
While many of his tallies were on set pieces or corner kicks, just as many came in the natural flow of the game.
"Who marks a defensive midfielder?" joked Sanders. "He quietly came out of the back, and bam, he's there."
Woodfield wouldn't have been able to push up as often as he did without the help of fellow Roy midfielder Mike Kaiser, a Deseret News first-team all-stater. The two understood each others' roles so well they could interchange positions during the flow of the game and catch opponents off guard.
Woodfield's hustle was unmatched. Whenever he pushed up into the attack, he knew he was expected to sprint all the way back to help on defense.
"That midfielder job is so hard," said Sanders, who may struggle finding a replacement for the versatile Woodfield next year.
AUSTIN BINGHAM, Waterford: If this Ravens senior ever considers getting a tattoo, he should have the world "clutch" emblazed on his right foot. After all, Waterford was the surprising 3A state champ this year because of his exploits.
"I call him 'the natural,' " said Waterford coach Bob Capener. "When I first saw him as a freshman I could see he was already doing things that's unnatural for a freshman."
Bingham was the third-leading scorer in the state with 21 goals this year, but none were bigger than Nos. 19, 20 and 21.
When Waterford went on the road for a quarterfinal game against top-ranked, defending champion Ogden, no one gave the Ravens a chance. All Bingham did was put Waterford ahead 2-1 with a late first-half tally, and then he played defense the remainder of the game to preserve the win.
In the semifinals against Delta, Bingham revived his sluggish squad with a game-tying goal three minutes into the second half as Waterford rallied to beat Delta 2-1.
Then in one of the most thrilling state championship games in recent memory, Bingham scored the game-winning goal with 20 minutes left as Waterford beat Juan Diego 3-2.
"He has really incredible balance," said Capener. "He doesn't get bumped off the ball. Once he gets the ball at his feet, it's very difficult to get it away from him."
With Bingham's versatility, it's going to be very difficult for Waterford to take state again next year.
E-MAIL: jedward@desnews.com