Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SANDY — Waterford senior Daniel Beesley remembered losing in last year’s Class 2A state final after American Leadership Academy took the title on penalty kicks.
He didn’t want to experience that feeling again.
Beesley exploded with a first-half hat trick — three goals inside the opening 15 minutes — and the Ravens cruised to their sixth boys soccer state championship with a 6-0 rout of first-time finalist Wasatch Academy on Saturday at Alta High School.
“It was pretty crazy. I wasn’t expecting that,” Beesley said with a sheepish grin. “We just played well, came out hard and we had to play well against a good team if we wanted a result. I got lucky to finish three in a row.”
Call it luck or hard work or just motivation; the Ravens (15-3-1) were determined to finish their chances after advancing to three state title matches in the past four years, including the dramatic loss a year ago.
“Today was a different feel, for sure,” Waterford coach George Shirley said, still dripping from the post-match ice-bucket dump. “But last year, I didn’t walk in feeling disappointed. We played a great team last year in ALA, went to PKs, and that coach and I are still very good friends. I think the world of that program. That’s how the final should be.
“But this definitely tastes better.”
Michael Adjei-Poku added two goals for the Ravens, who took a 4-0 lead into halftime and barely let up after the break. Cale Lopez also scored for Waterford, a slow roller into the bottom corner from just off the goal line with six minutes remaining to help the Ravens average six goals per game in a devastating postseason run.
The Tigers (13-4-1) advanced to their first-ever boys soccer state final, but never regained momentum after Beesley’s first-half hat trick. Though Wasatch Academy threatened a few times in the second half, the deficit was too large to regain control.
Related Story
Juan Diego defense caps undefeated season with 3A soccer title
Brandon Sands’ goal off a free kick just over 30 minutes into the match gave Juan Diego all the scoring it needed, and the Soaring Eagle held on for a 1-0 victory to cap an undefeated season with a championship Saturday at Alta High School.“For those guys who lost last year in the state final,” Shirley said, “to come back as seniors and be able to push and fight through until the state championship, it means everything.”
