HERRIMAN — Maeser Prep boys' soccer team didn't think about going undefeated in 2026.
But after winning the 2A state title a year ago — the first in program history — the Lions opened with a 1-0 win over Merit Prep.
Then came a second, 2-1 over South Summit. And a third, a fourth, a fifth — right on until the defending champs stood on the doorstep of Monday's state championship match.
"We always had it in the back of our minds," Maeser senior Kale Garner said of the unbeaten campaign. "But we never lose focus of what's at our feet; we don't want to trip while we're looking at the stars.
"But everyone knew it was going to happen."
By Monday afternoon, it did.
Noah Johnson had a goal and an assist, and Mahonri Alcazar secured the shutout in goal as Maeser Prep capped a 20-0 campaign with a 3-0 win over South Summit at Zions Bank Stadium.
Tyler Reedy and Garner also had a goal for the Lions, who beat the Winged Lions (12-4) for the second time and the first since a 5-2 victory back on March 26.
"We knew we had an opportunity to do something special, to go 20-0 after winning the state championship last year," said Maeser Prep coach Dustin Simmons, whose defense allowed just one goal in the playoff run. "We played every game like it was the state championship. We knew that every team, if they beat us they would have beaten the state champion."
After a turnover in midfield, Reedy laced a right-footed shot from the top of the box that skips off the goalkeeper's hands in the 30th minute en route to a 1-0 halftime lead.
Johnson doubled the advantage six minutes after halftime, finishing a breakaway to put the Lions up 2-0.
Garner made it 3-0 around the hour mark, finishing off a corner kick from Johnson with a header inside the far post to help Maeser Prep cruise to the repeat title.
"People out here are going to remember what happened today," Garner said. "They're going to know that they can be great because we were good today.
"I'm never going to forget this day."
3A championship: USU Eastern-bound Rodriguez flips Ogden to 3rd straight title
Jace Rodriguez wanted to appreciate every moment of his final high school match, even as coaches offered him a breather just before a hydration break as temperatures soared above 90 degrees on the artificial surface at Zions Bank Stadium.
Shortly after the break, the senior called his own number and helped Ogden High clinch a third consecutive state championship.
The USU Eastern-bound senior scored the lone goal around the 75th minute, taking a well-played through-ball from Harry Hoskins to score the decisive marker before a celebratory backflip near the corner flag that lifted undefeated Ogden to a 1-0 win over Morgan in Monday's 3A state championship.
No better feeling than that; heat, sore legs and everything else aside.
"There's nothing better than that," he said. "That felt good."
Fellow USU Eastern signee Xavier Peregrina collected the shutout in goal for Ogden (16-0), including consecutive saves in the final minute en route to the top-seeded Tigers' 43rd straight win.
Like his classmate, Peregrina was going to do everything he could to secure Ogden's first 3-peat in program history and sixth championship overall.
"These boys, my seniors especially, you've got to basically cut them out; they aren't going to come out on their own," Ogden coach Todd Scott said. "We know with this hot turf over 90 degrees, we've got to sub and get some fresh legs — but then put them back in for that spark."
It was the 70th goal in Rodriguez's four-year career, which also includes a state semifinal appearance as a freshman.
"That's why he's our leading scorer," Scott said, "and one of the leading scorers in the state."
