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SANDY, Utah — American Leadership Academy had never won a state title of any kind but that changed on Saturday. The Eagles defeated defending champion Manti 3-1 to claim the 2A soccer championship.
"I'm on cloud nine. This is awesome," said head coach Steve Solen. "No sport in our school has ever done this. This is just the greatest. These guys have worked their butts off all year long and they deserve it."
ALA found the back of the net first when Hector Martinez headed in a corner kick in the ninth minute.
Manti would respond with a goal of their own when Carlo Garcia got loose and finished a great ball in the 15th minute.
Martinez would strike again for the Eagles, this time a beautiful strike from 25 yards out that gave his team the lead for good.
"It's incredible," said Martinez. "It's my first time playing (at Rio Tinto Stadium) and scoring just made my life better. I'm a senior so it's really amazing to finish my year this way." ALA goalkeeper Anson Gwilliam stopped a penalty kick just before the end of the first half and shutout the Templars the rest of the way.
Cobi Warren would add the final goal for ALA in the 64th minute as the Eagles finish a championship season with a 17-1 record.
