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SANDY — Olympus' Ethan Cash defends the net with the strapping composure of an experienced, veteran goalkeeper.
With 11 shutouts — the third best in the state — and a newly acquired 4A state championship title win over Murray, it's hard to believe that the senior's dream season was the first and only season of his high school career.
"I'm so grateful for Chris [Sonntag]," Cash said, explaining that he was deemed academically ineligible his sophomore and junior year. "My coach stuck with me and I'm glad he did because I wouldn't be here without him."
The keeper was an integral part of Thursday's 3-2 championship victory at Rio Tinto Stadium, as he made a number of crucial saves down the line.
The Titans, who led at halftime 1-0 and 3-1 in the second half, were forced to stave off a substantial Murray attack late in the game.
The first half was quiet, with neither team getting on the scoreboard until the 39th minute. Amer Sasivarevic did as he so often does and broke things open for the Titans with a goal in the final 10 seconds of the half.
The talented forward was assisted by Jeff Brown who battled for the ball, winning two 50-50s before chipping it inside the 18-yard box to Sasivarevic.
"It boost our confidence level up," Sasivarevic said of the goal's effect.
"We knew we had to come out hard in the second half though. We knew they were going to come in 10 times harder."
Seven minutes into the second half it was Sasivarevic again, this time cutting through the box to receive a beautiful assist from teammate Blaze Nelson.
Nelson single handedly outmaneuvered three opponents and worked it around with Brodie Nelson before finding Sasivarevic streaking through the box.
Following the goal, the contest became what a state championship should be: A physical, action packed, all-out battle for the crown.
Murray's Thomas Rodriguez answered in the 67th minute, firing it in to sustain hope.
With the goal, the Spartans carried the momentum, testing Cash time and time again.
"You never want to let off the gas pedal for even a second," the keeper said of his unyielding performance. "In soccer, 2-1 is the most dangerous lead and we felt them put pressure on us but our defense handled it very well."
Unfortunately for the Spartans, Olympus' James Webb was quick to further the advantage, floating it just over the goalkeeper's outreached hands from well beyond the 18-yard box in the 71st minute.
Murray struck again, however, in the 74th minute. Andrew Clayton displayed some fancy footwork before curving it around Cash into the back of the net.
Though the Spartan surge was valiant, the Titans would hoist the 4A state championship trophy.
"This team just has heart," coach Chris Sonntag said of the win. "I give Murray all the credit in the world. They have a great group of guys, a classy coach, and we knew they were going to come. They came at us, but this team has never let up all year long."
Sonntag credited each and every player with the win, though he emphasized the sizeable role Cash played in the net.
"If he's not the best keeper in the state, I don't know who is," Sonntag said.
Olympus finished with an impressive 15-3-2 record.
Email: jwilde@desnews.com