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SANDY — Ryan Woolley doesn't remember much about how the ball got to his foot — neither does his coach.
But he'll always remember what he did with it.
Woolley scored the golden goal of the match with 42 seconds left in the first extra-time period, and Crimson Cliffs defended its way to the first state title in program history with a 1-0 win over Ridgeline in the 4A championship match Wednesday at Rio Tinto Stadium.
"I saw the guy coming across, and I just took a touch and hit it right where the goalie was not," Wooley recalled. "We just had to finish strong for the seniors on our team. This might be our last game.
"I'm proud of our season this year."
Crimson Cliffs coach Isaac Klingonsmith recalled the buildup "a little hazy" as he saw Camden Squires lay off a ball to Woolley in the final third. But the shot was as sure as they come, especially coming off Woolley's boot.
"He's done that multiple times this season, hanging out on the back door, and that's where his bread and butter really is," Klingonsmith said. "When he gets the ball with space, he can get a prep touch and stick it home.
"I'm not surprised at what he did. It's just what he's done this season."
A defense that was second to none in 4A this year, surrendering just eight goals with 11 shutouts from goalkeeper Dade MacDonald, the Mustangs also survived penalty kicks in Tuesday's semifinals, edging Desert Hills 4-3 in a shootout after 110 scoreless minutes.
That set up Wednesday's final against Ridgeline, the reigning 4A champions who eliminated the Mustangs from last year's tournament.
"We play our game and try not to get too emotional," Klingonsmith said. "But it was in the back of our minds, especially the seniors and boys who played varsity last year. We had such a talented team last year, and there was a little bit of a mentality to not want to lose it again.
"It didn't play too much into how we approached the game, though."
Front of mind or back, the Mustangs (16-2) got the revenge they had been seeking all year in the form of a championship.
"It feels great. It's good to get revenge," said Woolley, who scored his ninth goal of the year to tie for the team lead. "We wanted this, and we worked for it every day."
The Mustangs' defense kept the southern visitors in the game through 90 scoreless minutes. But when Woolley found himself alone on the left side of the penalty box after Squires laid him off a pass through two defenders, the senior striker needed just one touch before roofing the ball inside the far post for the only goal of the match.
That was the only touch Woolley needed when paired with a defense that has surrendered just eight goals all season.
"It was just slow motion from there," Woolley said. "It was right on my foot, perfect touch, and I put it in — right on my foot and I put it right where the keeper wasn't."
Crimson Cliffs held the bulk of possession in the first half, but Ridgeline (14-4) had the best chance when Diego Vazquez's corner kick from the right side found Grady Workman's head at the back post. But the ball kissed the edge of the goal en route to the scoreless first half.
Ditto for the second half, which saw a few chances, but neither team could break the scoreless gridlock to set up overtime.
"Their team is good all around, strong defense, strong offense," Woolley said. "They shoot great, but I have to thank our defense for today; they were phenomenal."
Crimson Cliffs' victory is the first 4A boys soccer title for a team from Southern Utah since Desert Hills in 2018, loosening the grip held by Sky View, Ridgeline and the rest of Cache Valley since then.
"The leadership has been huge on this team," Klingonsmith said. "It's been a great season, obviously, and they've played really well — really consistent."
