SANDY — Lone Peak girls soccer's season has been anything but under-the-radar, with an unbeaten record against Utah competition, a Region 3 title, and the No. 1 seed in the 6A state tournament.

Did you expect anything less from the final?

Samantha Sellers had a hat trick, and Bella Devey added a goal and two assists as top-seeded Lone Peak rolled past rival American Fork 5-0 Friday afternoon to clinch the Knights' first 6A state title since 2018 at America First Field.

"Such a good feeling, especially in the finals," said Sellers, who has committed to Utah State. "It's such a good way to end the season. … AF is our rival; it's always a good game against them. So to finish off like that, it's such a good feeling."

Dubbed one of the toughest competitors on the team, Sellers — who scored 16 goals with 13 assists this season — delayed surgery to repair a torn labrum so she wouldn't have to miss any time with the Knights (20-1).

The junior even landed awkwardly on the same shoulder during a 4-0 win over Lehi in the regular-season finale, separating her shoulder and eventually checking into the hospital to have it reset.

"She's been an absolute rockstar through everything. We love her," said Lone Peak coach Shantel Jolley, the former Shantel Flanary who also starred for the Aggies. "She is freaking tough."

Undefeated against in-state competition, Lone Peak was a 1-0 loss in a 60-minute contest against Las Vegas' Coronado from a perfect 2023 season.

No matter; a state title will do just fine for the Knights, who outscored opponents 88-8 with 16 shutouts under goalkeeper Eliza Collings.

Since that loss, Lone Peak has been dialed in, allowing just five goals in 16 matches and scoring at-will with a front line that includes college-bound players at BYU, North Carolina and Utah Tech, in addition to Sellers.

"I think that was last season's disappointment, going undefeated; we never faced that kind of reality check," Jolley said of the 2022 Knights squad that went 18-1 with a 1-0 loss to Farmington in the 6A semifinals. "They learned that if you don't play well and don't show up, we can be beaten. And so I think from that moment, they've shown up in almost every game — and obviously showed up today."

Lone Peak didn't allow a goal in the 6A state playoffs, out-scoring American Fork (13-6), Layton, Farmington and Salt Lake Academy by an aggregate score of 14-0.

It didn't take long for Lone Peak to find the back of the net, and who else but through leading scorer Brooke Hendricks?

The junior scored her 18th goal of the season in the second minute, nodding home a touch from Devey to put the Knights in front with the only goal they would need.

"That's been one of our goals all year: a goal in the first five (minutes)," said Hendricks, who also recorded an assist. "I think it was really important, and got our momentum going and gave us adrenaline. After that, we just couldn't be stopped."

High school girls soccer

Playoff brackets for all Utah classifications

Here's a look at every classification for the UHSAA state championships.

Sellers doubled the advantage in the 22nd minute, taking a pass from Naia Tanuvasa, putting a defender in a spin cycle, and finishing inside the far post for the 2-0 edge.

Devey took advantage of a near-empty net in the 25th minute, beating her defender and the goalkeeper to a long ball from Collings in the box to slot home an easy goal inside the left corner and push the Knights' advantage to 3-0.

Collings had a save with just under two minutes remaining in the first half, punching a dangerous ball over the crossbar to help the Knights keep the first-half shutout.

Sellers added her second goal less than two minutes into the second half, finishing off a perfect cross from Hendrick in the box with one touch to go up 4-0.

Sellers finished off her hat trick about 20 minutes from time, burying a cross from Devey to push the Knights up 5-0 for the final margin.

"We've been so good, and I'm super proud of what we've done this year," Hendricks said. "And I think next year, we're going to be really good, too."

But good enough to overcome that one loss?

"Any day," Hendricks said, before adding with emphasis. "Any day."

Related topics