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SANDY — Rowland Hall’s girls soccer team was plenty excited to clinch its first Class 2A state championship since 2009 when the clock struck zero Saturay afternoon at Rio Tinto Stadium.
But the overall excitement was muted — for good reason, since the final result left little doubt.
Jordan Crockett and Giselle Bodeen scored two goals apiece, and the Winged Lions scored five second-half goals to roll to a 6-3 win over 2A North rival Waterford in the state final Saturday in Sandy.
Rowland Hall (18-0) capped an undefeated season with the championship, but outscored its opponents 128-6 en route to the title. Though the Lions gave up six goals all season, five of them came against the Ravens, who lost 7-1 and 6-1 to Rowland Hall during region play.
“It’s hard going through our classification. The reclassification made our division a little weaker, and our team is stronger than last year,” Rowland Hall coach Bobby Kennedy said. “We always challenged them to be as good as they can in training and game in, game out.
"But you never really know until you meet somebody like (Waterford). They still posed a big issue for us, whether it’s the occasion or pressure. I’m glad the girls rallied, and I think we proved at least this year we were the best team in 2A. But it always goes through Waterford, and they are a classy outfit.”
The only other team to score a goal against the Winged Lions was Granger, in Rowland Hall’s 9-1 season-opening win over the Class 6A opponent.
“I love to do this with these girls; they worked their butts off,” Crockett said. “We’re super proud that we got to play Waterford in the final; they are great competition and really made us work this year.
“We’re grateful to have them in our division so that we can play them.”
Waterford (14-3-2) entered the match averaging 4.22 goals per game in the regular season, so they seemed set for an offensive explosion in the final girls soccer state title match of the season.
Instead, Bodeen’s 12th-minute header was the difference, and Rowland Hall took a 1-0 halftime lead.
After a halftime pep talk, the Winged Lions found their rhythm. Bodeen scored her second goal of the match nine minutes into the half, and Crockett added a pair to give Rowland Hall a 4-0 advantage in the 54th minute.
“Our chemistry started to click in the second half; Giselle and I work really well together,” Crockett said. “The midfield started to click, and everything just started to click in the second half.”
Anna Fukushima became the third sophomore to score a goal for Rowland Hall, and senior Caeli Kennedy finished the scoring for the Winged Lions with a shot from distance in the 66th minute.
Waterford did not register a shot until the 47th minute, and goalkeeper Allison Bagley didn’t register a save until turning aside the Ravens in the 55th minute.
Waterford junior Anna Wood scored a hat trick in the final 25 minutes, including two goals after Kennedy unloaded the bench with a 6-1 advantage.
With five minutes left, Bagley and the starting back line that consists of three seniors re-entered the match and finished off the final scoreline. Saturday's game was especially meaningful for Rowland High's seniors who lost 2-0 to Waterford in last year’s 2A state tournament.
“After last year, this year means a lot,” Crockett said. “To be here with these girls is amazing. I couldn’t put it into words.”
While the Winged Lions will turn over their defense, they also return Bodeen, Crockett, Fukushima and five other players who saw significant time on the squad.
“They probably won’t play in those positions next year, but we’ll see,” coach Kennedy said. “We’re always evolving, and we’re going to fill some holes in the back line and center midfield. We’ve got some work to do, but we’re pretty healthy.
“I teach in the middle school, and there are some kids who will make their way in. I don’t anticipate this changing anytime soon.”
