Sometimes state championships are blowouts and sometimes they are nail-biters. Entering the 2A state championship Saturday, there were the makings for the game to go either way, honestly.
Top-seeded Waterford had proven to be the best team all season, losing only once to a 4A school and rolling past most of its opponents with a prolific offense that averaged seven goals per game.
The Ravens were equally good on defense, allowing only three goals across the campaign when that loss was removed.
Meanwhile, American Heritage had a slower start, recovering from graduation losses and facing key injuries early on. But the Patriots had found their groove and were playing as well as anyone, including upsetting St. Joseph to reach the championship in hopes of defending their title.
Add to the mix that the championship last season came at the hands of Waterford for extra motivation for both teams, and that the Ravens senior class had not won a title.
“American Heritage is a brilliant team with heart, and they were never going to not give us their best game,” said Waterford head coach Jeannie Woller.
Over 100 minutes Saturday, both teams battled back and forth, each having chances and each having outstanding stops to remain scoreless. It was in penalty kicks (5-4) that Waterford walked away with its eighth state championship, tying the Ravens with Alta and Rowland Hall atop the Utah record books.
“I am just so proud of this team for their individual state championship,” said Woller when asked about tying the record. “They’re joining a legacy at Waterford that I was a part of, but to be honest it is a stand-alone championship.”
Woller understands the importance of recognizing each championship because she won three herself when she was a Raven. She also credited her team for not backing down in its toughest battle of the wildly successful season.
Both teams were solid throughout, but it was American Heritage which found some success early, as the Patriots were able to get things started between their defenders and midfielders to build chances for their forwards.
“For this game we prepped, watched film and we made sure who to guard,” said American Heritage coach Eleanor Stafford. “We took more of a defensive approach from the beginning of the first half because we wanted to feel the field out, and then once we knew what was going on, we started to work more offensively.”
The strategy worked as the Patriots pressed the Ravens all game.
“(American Heritage) had a great passing game,” Woller said. “One thing I love about our defense is because of the scores we’ve had, the defense doesn’t get the chance to get the recognition they deserve for being such a solid back line.
“Today was their day to showcase their skills and I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
The Waterford back line and goalkeeper Jessica Miller were outstanding all day long, poking away balls, making saves and forcing shots wide.
They were the difference in a game wherein the scheme was flipped for the Ravens, who usually have a comfortable lead.
“It’s a team effort,” said Ravens senior Vivika Sarin. “We have to communicate. My center back and my two wings, we just work together on who is covering and who is dropping.
“If it’s not working out, we have a goalie who will watch us, help us and let us adapt.”
American Heritage’s defense and keeper Brinley Hall were just as good, not yielding a goal to any of Waterford’s prolific trio of Berklee Hasebli, Milana Massinople and Whitney Spanos, who combined for 79 goals this year.
“American Heritage played a smart game,” Woller said. “At points they were man marking (our trio) and putting high pressure on them.”
The game really was a game of momentum, with each team experiencing the standard soccer experience of just a few inches wide, a great save and a shot off the goal post.
In the penalty kicks, Miller was able to rein in the final effort by the Patriots for the record-tying win.
“I love PKs. They are my favorite thing,” Miller said. “I just go up and read what the player is going to do, and I trust my teammates because I know they’ve got my back, and I’ve got theirs.”