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- Ogden's boys soccer team secured a 2-1 victory over Morgan, winning back-to-back 3A titles.
- Gerardo Esquivel and Jace Rodriguez scored for Ogden, with Rodriguez netting the game-winner.
- Morgan's Ronan Ratchford initially saved a penalty, but Rodriguez scored on the rebound.
SANDY — The Ogden boys soccer team entered Saturday's 3A championship match at America First Field on a 26-game win streak, with no intention of letting it come to an end in the biggest game of the year.
The Tigers' last two losses came in early spring 2024 against their two closest proclaimed rivals: Ben Lomond and Morgan. Ogden had gotten the best of both teams since then, however, with a 6-0 record and a state semifinal win over Morgan en route to last year's 3A title.
Two of those rivalry games this season went into overtime, though, and Saturday's battle between Ogden and Morgan seemed to be headed in the same direction with a 1-1 scoreline at the half.
Gerardo Esquivel got the opening goal for Ogden with 15:45 remaining in the first half on an impressive turn and run toward the Morgan box after a giveaway near midfield. Luke Francis responded with 47 seconds left before halftime on an impressive volley off a cross from Brody Kinney to tie things up heading into the break.
Several chances for both teams came up empty in the second half and extra time seemed imminent until a fateful whistle in the box on Morgan goalkeeper Ronan Ratchford resulted in a penalty for Ogden with five minutes remaining.
Ratchford stopped the initial shot from Ogden's leading goalscorer, Jace Rodriguez, but the ball popped up and Rodriguez was able to get to the rebound and slam it home for the game-winner in the final minutes.
Penalty given with five minutes left in the 3A boys soccer state title game at AFF tied 1-1 and Morgan's Ronan Ratchford makes the save but Ogden's Jace Rodriguez gets the rebound and scores to make it 2-1 pic.twitter.com/om6N6NKyg6
— Caleb Turner (@calebturner23) May 10, 2025
"A lot of these boys watch me play club soccer and they know which way I go in my PK," Rodriguez said. "So he kind of was in my head a little bit. But luckily it bounced up and I got to it and tried to stay composed and keep it down so I didn't sky and it worked out."
It was Rodriguez's 23rd goal on the season, while Esquivel's brought him up to 17. Esquivel played his final high school game Saturday as a senior, while Rodriguez will get a chance to come back and go for the three-peat with Ogden as a senior next year.
"Gerry (Esquivel) means a lot to this team," Rodriguez said. "I mean, coming out and scoring first. He's a senior. He inspires us at practice. I've played with him the past three years and every year he's just been positive with us."
Esquivel took some time alone on the field after the trophy ceremony to savor the victory and Rodriguez brought the trophy over to him, saying, "You deserve this!"
Morgan continues its search for a first boys soccer title after finishing as runner-up in two of the last three seasons.
