High school boys soccer: Bountiful prevails in double OT on PK to win 5A state title

Gutty, gritty and grueling are ways to describe fifth-seeded Bountiful and sixth-seeded Maple Mountain’s battle for the 5A boys state soccer title Friday at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman.

Both teams had willed their way into the championship game after trailing in their respective semifinal, and that same grittiness carried over into Friday as a defensive battle ensued over regulation and into double overtime, where the Redhawks prevailed 1-0 on Cameron Martin’s penalty kick.

The PK as time was winding down was a tough pill to swallow for Maple Mountain’s defense that was outstanding all day behind Palmer Croshaw and Wyatt Witt’s great play.

The backline thwarted several Redhawk runs and chances, but the continuous pedal to the metal mentality Bountiful showcased eventually broke through.

As Ezra Christiansen was rolling, he drew contact and was awarded the penalty that set up the game winner.

“They had phenomenal defense, but you know, at the end we just kept trying to penetrate through and we eventually got it,” said Christiansen.

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Christiansen and Martin moved the Golden Eagle defense up, down and across the field, and in the end made sure the champion wasn’t going to be crowned in a shootout.  

“The amount of times we could have scored and didn’t score, I mean, it gets in your head for sure,” said Martin. “Anyone who’s telling you it doesn’t is a liar.

“It was very, very hard, but I think if you guys saw that last little push, everybody was giving their voice and giving their mind, and that’s what a real family is.”

For Bountiful coach Gabe Johnson, who is in his first season at the helm, there was a clear choice to take the penalty kick.

“I’ve got a handful of guys that I trust, and when the moment arises, we all just rally around each other and trust whoever feels it in the moment,” said Johnson.

“Cam was feeling it, the boys rallied around him and I’m proud of him for getting it done.”

Martin didn’t flinch when given the opportunity, as he calmly approached the ball and went just under the crossbar and just out of the reach of an extended Ethan Antonino, who had made several highlight reel saves to keep the Golden Eagles in the game.

The championship ties Bountiful with Alta for the most boys soccer titles in state history at 10. Bountiful proudly wears nine stars on its jersey to represent its program’s championships and now gets to add a 10th, which was the goal all year.

Part of this year’s storyline is that the Redhawks had to beat the top-seeded Hawks in their semifinal before getting a chance at the championship win to tie them. They made good on both opportunities to bring the title back for the first time since 2013.

“I was fortunate to take over a very rich program,” Johnson said. “There’s a lot of history in this program, and so being able to be a part of this history is wonderful. All props to the boys for how hard they’ve worked this season to bring this win back to Bountiful.”

Equally good for Bountiful was its keeper play from Jovany Lobato, who earned the clean sheet after keeping the Maple Mountain offense off the scoreboard.  

It was a doubly special day for the Redhawk seniors as Martin and Christiansen, along with their classmates, participated in a graduation ceremony on the field before the game.

The senior class missed their school’s graduation Friday to play in the championship, but Martin noted that several friends and family were still there to celebrate the victory. 

“I think one thing I wasn’t really aware of coming into this, like this big day for sure, is how much it’s going to hit you that this is that last push,” said Martin. “So, this means the world. So many mixed emotions.”

Christiansen, who has signed to play for San Diego State, echoed Martin, who will decide on his college club this weekend, in what the day meant.  

“You know, it’s crazy,” Christiansen said. “Graduating right before the game and then playing our last game — winning a state championship, I can’t put into words how good it feels.”