RSL Academy wins girl's soccer 3A state title in penalties

HERRIMAN — Penalty shootouts are often compared to a coin flip, so it makes sense that the nerve-racking ordeal treated a pair of teams bearing the Real Salt Lake name differently over the last week.

The MLS soccer team located in Sandy lost in the playoffs on penalties on Sunday, while the girl's soccer team sponsored by RSL Academy High claimed the 3A state title thanks to a shootout at Zions Bank Stadium on Saturday.

Goalkeeper Izzy Smith saved the final two shots from Ogden after regulation and extra time ended 1-1, and the Griffins made three of their first four shots to become champs for the first time in the young program's history.

"I kept thinking, 'I want to win this so bad,'" Smith said of her mindset during the shootout. "Just trying to do everything I can for my team to lift that trophy."

Smith said she felt like the game might go to penalties once regulation ended in a tie and started to prepare herself mentally. Her two saves and a miss by one of the Tigers helped the Griffins to the win.

The game was plagued by rain and then snow as the temperatures in Salt Lake County dipped dramatically Saturday for the first time this fall.

The Tigers looking to defend their 2021 title, and the Griffins looked to improve upon last year's trip to the state semifinals.

It was RSL Academy who struck first in the 38th minute when Summer Long corralled the ball in the box and slotted home the opener. The Griffins went into halftime with the lead, but the Tigers got their equalizer 20 minutes into the second half.

Kate Wadsworth got a free kick in the 60th minute and launched a direct shot toward goal from 40 yards out that was too powerful for the keeper and continued into the back of the net.

Both teams had chances down the stretch and in extra time, but the last title game of the day was always destined for penalties.

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