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Morgan High's boys soccer team goes through the handshake line after losing to Juan Diego Catholic in the 3A state championship game on Friday, May 12, 2023 at America First Field in Sandy.

Patrick Carr, Standard-Examiner

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Morgan High's boys soccer team gathers after losing to Juan Diego Catholic in the 3A state championship game on Friday, May 12, 2023 at America First Field in Sandy.

Patrick Carr, Standard-Examiner

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SANDY — For the third time in five seasons, Morgan High’s boys soccer team played in the 3A state championship game.

For the third time in five seasons, the Trojans lost the state championship game 1-0.

On Friday at America First Field, it was No. 2 Juan Diego Catholic High that gave Morgan a 1-0 loss, as the Soaring Eagle scored on a stunning first-half free kick by state-record goalscorer Hauroa Morgant. Juan Diego also kept the No. 4 Trojans out of the goal to claim the title.

“Obviously pretty upset. We felt like we were the better team, we had the ball most of the game and we just couldn’t finish anything,” Morgan senior Tyson Adams said. “It was a close game, they were a great opponent, there’s not much more of a game you could ask for. It just sucks to be on this side.”

The Trojans (11-7) played well the majority of the game, keeping possession in the midfield, limiting passes to the 44-goal Morgant, limiting his touches and looking the better team early on.

“I felt we played well enough to win today. I felt we outplayed them really from the beginning to the end of the game, just didn’t finish some of the chances we had and they had one,” MHS coach Seth Wallace said.

So Morgant, who set the UHSAA single-season goalscoring record earlier this spring put his mark on the game from a set piece instead of open play.

Midway through the first half, he stepped up and fired a 30-yard free kick that flew in just under the crossbar.

“Honestly, I don’t know if he’s world-class, but that was an unbelievable shot and goal,” Wallace said.

“He didn’t do much on the ball, and I thought we did our job, it was just that one kick. It was beautiful, it was a banger, there’s not much else I can say about it,” Adams said.

Morgant’s only other scoring chance was a shot off the post in the 65th minute. The Trojans, meanwhile, were finding their feet and creating good chances, but couldn’t particularly test the opposing keeper.

One last attacking wave forward, however, did bring a corner kick in the final minute and a shot on goal in the final seconds.

But after upsetting No. 1 Ogden in the semifinals on Wednesday, another upset wasn’t in the cards for the Trojans. Friday’s 1-0 loss to Juan Diego followed 1-0 losses to Judge Memorial in the 2018 and 2021 title games.

“I don’t know if we’re cursed in these games, or what,” Wallace said.

While Juan Diego celebrated on one side of the field, the Trojans were left with an all too familiar feeling.

Connect with reporter Patrick Carr via email at pcarr@standard.net, Twitter @patrickcarr_ and Instagram @standardexaminersports.