Boys soccer: Ogden makes Jenks goal stand to beat Morgan, reach 3A state championship match
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- Ogden High’s Adam Jenks (center, 6) celebrates his first-half goal with teammates in a 3A semifinal match against Morgan on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman.
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- Ogden High’s Luis Velasco (15) Ogden High is tripped up on a slide tackle by Morgan’s Brandon Allgaier during a 3A semifinal match Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman.
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- Ogden’s Harrison Hoskins, right, tangles with Morgan keeper Ronan Ratchford during a 3A semifinal match Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman.
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- Taylor Pierce of Ogden High celebrates after being fouled by Jett Beckstrom of Morgan High, appealing to the referee during a 3A semifinal match Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman.
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- Ronan Ratchford of Morgan High dives in vain at a shot made by Adam Jinks of Ogden High during a 3A semifinal match Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman.
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- Harrison Hoskins of Ogden High jumps to head the ball as he is being held back by Jett Beckstrom of Morgan High during a 3A semifinal match Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman.
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- Brandon Allgaier, right, of Morgan High slide tackles Luis Velasco of Ogden High during a 3A semifinal match Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman.
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- Ben Points of Ogden High reaches for control of the ball against Conner Canfield of Morgan High during the semifinal game of the during a 3A semifinal match Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman.
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- Conner Canfield of Morgan High tries to protect the ball under pressure from Ben Points of Ogden High during a 3A semifinal match Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman.
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- Harrison Hoskins, right, of Ogden High center battles for control of the ball against goal keeper Ronan Ratchford of Morgan High during a 3A semifinal match Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman.
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- Harrison Hoskins, right, of Ogden High center battles for control of the ball against goal keeper Ronan Ratchford of Morgan High during a 3A semifinal match Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman.
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- Max Lane of Morgan High looks to clear the ball ahead of Parley Gladwell of Ogden High during a 3A semifinal match Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman.
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- Brandon Allgaier of Morgan High and Jace Rodriguez of Ogden High chase the ball during a 3A semifinal match Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman.
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- Players of Morgan and Ogden High collide at the boundary line as they fight for control during a 3A semifinal match Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman.
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- Harrison Hoskins of Ogden High center battles for control of the ball against goal keeper Ronan Ratchford of Morgan High during a 3A semifinal match Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman.
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- Lincoln Barnes of Ogden High clears the ball in front Trace Henderson of Morgan High during a 3A semifinal match Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman.
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- Jace Rodriguez, center, of Ogden High is fouled by Sam Sugden, 6, and Cody Adams of Morgan High during a 3A semifinal match Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman.
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- Taylor Pierce of Ogden High is fouled by Jett Beckstrom of Morgan High during a 3A semifinal match Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman.
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- Sam Sugden of Morgan High battles for the ball with Jace Rodriguez of Ogden High during a 3A semifinal match Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman.
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- Jace Rodriguez of Ogden High battles for control of the ball against Garrett Grow of Morgan High during a 3A semifinal match Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman.
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- Brayden Wilson, left, of Ogden High battles for control of the ball against Jett Beckstrom of Morgan High during a 3A semifinal match Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman.
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- Jace Rodriguez, left of Ogden High jumps for a header against Cody Adams of Morgan High during a 3A semifinal match Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman.
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- Jett Beckstrom of Morgan High and Parley Gladwell of Ogden High look to control the ball during a 3A semifinal match Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman.
HERRIMAN — No. 3 Ogden High may have had only one shot on goal the entire game against No. 2 Morgan in the 3A state semifinal Thursday at Zions Bank Stadium, but the Tigers made it count.
Sophomore Adam Jenks found the net in the 32nd minute and a tenacious Tiger defense, led by sophomore keeper Xavier Peregrina, made the goal stand up as they advanced to Saturday’s championship final with a 1-0 victory over the heartbroken Trojans.
“Gerry (Esquivel) ended up winning the ball down the sideline; he made a great play. I was set up and made a good finish, but it’s a team goal — that’s what we do, we play team soccer, we win as a team,” Jenks said. “Every day in practice, our coaches drill in our heads to play it back, don’t play across. Play through from the sideline. Play fast, winning the ball.”
Esquivel doesn’t get the one next to his name for the goal, but his textbook assist lends a further tip of the hat to the Tiger brotherhood theme.
“I always want to find the ball; try and find my teammate in the best position to take a shot. I’m happy for my family and my teammates. Now we’re going for the ring,” Esquivel said.
Ogden (14-3) didn’t let up after finally getting on the board, simply making the best of a difficult situation that Morgan (14-3) presented on the pitch.
“They came out with a high press and had possession most of the game, so we knew when the opportunity was there, we had to take advantage and execute,” Jenks said. “It was a relief, so we had room to play the way we wanted to play, not their way.”
The Tigers lost to Morgan at the same venue last year in the semis and, even though they didn’t get a goal in the second half, they learned a lot from that loss.
“We wanted to keep our foot on the gas, go get more goals. We didn’t want to sit back and defend,” Jenks said. “That’s what we did last year and it cost us.”
Revenge was definitely in play for Ogden but, having faced the Trojans twice in the Region 13 season (splitting the games) helped on Thursday.
“We’ve seen them, so we know what they bring to the table. We wanted redemption for sure. We wanted to do it for our coaches and for the team; we can’t let our seniors go out again, losing twice,” Jenks said. “Last year they played better than us. They left a bitter taste in our mouth. We didn’t want that to happen again.”
Peregrina, for his part, turned away two Trojan free kicks from just beyond the penalty box and withstood a fierce attack late in the game as Morgan tried to no avail to get back to even, as Peregrina’s teammates were equal to the task.
“Just make sure I’m there; make sure I save and clear,” Peregrina said. “We’re a whole big family back there. We’re always there for each other. One messes up, the other is right there.”
Ogden draws No. 1 Manti at 3 p.m. Saturday at America First Field in Sandy for a chance at the 3A championship. The Tigers last won a boys soccer state title in 2005.
“Excited. I’ve got a lot of adrenaline going. I’m hyped up. Can’t wait,” Peregrina said.
ROWLAND HALL 2, ST. JOSEPH 1 (OT)
HERRIMAN — No. 1 St. Joseph was whistled for a hand-ball inside the 18-yard box with 34 seconds left in the first period of extra time, and No. 5 Rowland Hall’s Kelton Ferriter converted the penalty kick to gain revenge and eliminate the Jayhawks in the 2A semifinals at Zions Bank Stadium.
Ferriter booted the ball low and to the right, past reserve goalkeeper Daniel Fontes, and the Winged Lion celebration ensued. Fontes replaced starting keeper Matheus Vieira, who was carded and sent off following the hand-ball call.
Rowland Hall (10-6) took the lead in the 23rd minute on a Nate Kanter chip shot. Fontes equalized for the Jayhawks in the 75th minute on an Isiah Flores assist.
St. Joseph ends the season with an 11-5 mark. The Jayhawks beat Rowland Hall twice in region play.
Justin B. Johnson contributed to this report.