Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- American Fork won the 6A boys soccer title, defeating Bingham 1-0.
- Lewis Knecht scored the decisive goal, assisted by Demetri Larsen's key pass.
- Bingham's playoff run ends as American Fork eyes future success despite graduating seniors.
SANDY — "Give Demetri credit for the one-two."
American Fork senior Lewis Knecht gave those final words to the media as he raced back to his team for a group photo. It was a simple request, but perhaps more representative of his team's two-year reign at the top of 6A boys soccer than he realized.
Demetri Larsen got the lone goal in last year's championship win over Farmington after Knecht's goal was called back due to offside, but the Utah Valley commit got redemption with the game-winner in Thursday's final against Bingham.
And the kicker to bring it full circle? Larsen with the assist.
"I'm so grateful for the opportunity to score," Knecht said. "If you're gonna write something, give Demetri credit for the one-two, because that's a great ball by him."
The natural interplay between the two seniors with 10 minutes left in the first half resulted in the only goal of the 1-0 result at America First Field. The Cavemen were repeat champions and Bingham went home empty-handed thanks to American Fork for the second year in a row after falling in last year's semifinal.
The Miners' run to the championship game was even less likely this year, entering the playoffs as a 13 seed after an earlier exit in 2024 as a six seed. American Fork was the two seed in both of its championship campaigns.
"Everyone wanted to knock us out," Knecht said of the target on his team's back after last year's championship. "We were everyone's first priority to hit. And every single game, that's what happened; they came out hard."
Copper Hills took American Fork to penalties in the second round; and the next three rounds were all single-score victories for the Cavemen.
The Bingham offense stalled out after a hot start to the playoffs with a 0-0 penalty shootout win over No. 1 seed Lone Peak in the semifinals and no goals Thursday against a Cavemen defense that gave up five goals in the previous three rounds.
Even with several starters graduating this year, Knecht said he doesn't see the American Fork run ending anytime soon.
"This program will be able to go for as many times as they want," Knecht said. "They've got a lot of young kids. Everyone's sleeping, but I promise this team's gonna make some noise."
