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Ogden High's Jace Rodriguez is jubilant following a goal versus Judge Memorial Catholic during the 3A state boys soccer quarterfinals on Saturday, May 3, 2025, in Ogden.

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Ogden High's Eli Robinson points toward teammate Luis Velasco following a goal versus Judge Memorial Catholic during the 3A state boys soccer quarterfinals on Saturday, May 3, 2025, in Ogden.

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Judge Memorial's Christopher Salinas clears the ball from the Ogden defense during the 3A state boys soccer quarterfinals on Saturday, May 3, 2025, in Ogden.

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Left to right: Ogden High's Gerardo Esquivel, Jace Rodriguez, Luis Velasco and Parley Gladwell celebrate a goal versus Judge Memorial Catholic during the 3A state boys soccer quarterfinals on Saturday, May 3, 2025, in Ogden.

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Ogden High's Luis Velasco launches a free kick versus Judge Memorial Catholic during the 3A state boys soccer quarterfinals on Saturday, May 3, 2025, in Ogden.

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Ogden High's Gabe Liptrap and Judge Memorial's Christopher Salinas race for the ball during the 3A state boys soccer quarterfinals on Saturday, May 3, 2025, in Ogden.

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OGDEN — Jace Rodriguez didn’t catch who said it, but he didn’t need to.

A few fiery words emanating from visiting No. 9 Judge Memorial, joining the scoreboard 2-1 on a solo goal by Richard Moore, only gaslit a Rodriguez hat trick and top seed Ogden High, which roared during the second half for a 5-1 win in Saturday’s 3A state boys soccer quarterfinal.

Rodriguez, assisted by Luis Velasco on a goal that gave Ogden (16-0) a 2-0 lead 13 minutes into the first half, found the net twice more against Judge (8-5) keeper Porter Smith.

“I came out, took it to heart and put the game away,” Rodriguez said.

Center back Adam Jenks and the Ogden defense weren’t having any of it, closing out 40 minutes without another Bulldogs goal and paving the way for a city clash between the No. 1 Tigers and No. 5 Ben Lomond in the 3A semifinals Thursday at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman.

“We represent our community and you don’t mess with Ogden,” Jenks said.

Ogden raced ahead for the match’s first goal on a 40-plus-yard free kick by Velasco – perhaps an audition for the football team’s next placekicker – that sailed past Smith and teammate Eli Robinson just four minutes into the first half.

Down 2-0 after Rodriguez’ first goal, Judge made two late threats: A goal, scored by Christian Padilla Fragos, reversed on an offside penalty, and Moore’s late first-half punch made it a one-goal deficit for the Bulldogs entering the second half.

Ogden coach Todd Scott used the mood swing to challenge his boys.

“I told the boys it’s what we do after that,” Scott said.

Tempers ran hot in the early minutes of the second half. A second goal by Rodriguez, scored just seven minutes back onto the pitch, as well as an exchange of yellow cards against both sides, only fanned the flames as the Tigers defended a 3-1 lead over the next 33 minutes.

Jenks credited captains Velasco and Rodriguez for breaking the fever.

“I think a lot of it’s thanks to our captains,” Jenks said. “They’re very level-headed, especially (Velasco). He’s always there to tell you, ‘Calm down, play the game and keep your focus.'”

Scott knows the temperatures of a playoff match well. It’s just a matter of getting the guys to take a breath, wash the negative emotions and play the game in front of them.

Tipping his cap to Judge, Scott expressed his respect for the series’ recent history. The Tigers and Bulldogs forced overtime in consecutive postseason meetings entering Saturday’s match: Ogden 3-2 (OT) in 2023 and Judge 2-1 (OT) in 2022.

“They’re teenagers at the end of the day and sometimes we play a little too rushed,” Scott said. “We had to calm things down (and) make some adjustments with some players. We knew Judge wasn’t going to come in, they’re not going to give it to us – nobody cares about (your) record when you go into the playoffs.

“Hats off to Judge, they always play us pretty well in the past and now they played very well today (and) brought the intensity for sure.”

Gabe Liptrap, adding Ogden’s fourth goal with 27 minutes to go, and Rodriguez, completing his hat trick with a timely pass by Parley Gladwell with three minutes remaining, watered down Judge’s defense by the end of the day.

A sneaky BL team sits on the horizon, as Paul Baltazar and crew put Ogden in their sights following wins over No. 12 Juan Diego (4-1) and No. 4 Canyon View (5-0) to earn an equal semifinal seat with the unbeaten Tigers.

Following a 7-1 loss in their first regular-season meeting with Ogden, the Scots dropped a narrow 1-0 loss to their region rivals in late March. Those matches won’t mean much when both squads drop the gloves next Thursday, Rodriguez said.

“We haven’t proved anything yet until we get the job done,” Rodriguez said.

Kickoff for Ogden and BL is set for 9 a.m. at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman.

BL shuts out Canyon View for another meeting with Ogden in 3A semis

Far from out, No. 5 Ben Lomond earned every bit of its semifinal berth Saturday in Cedar City, shutting out No. 4 Canyon View 5-0 in the 3A quarterfinals for a third crack at top seed Ogden on the northern side of the semifinal ticket next week in Herriman.

Kevin Nuci led the Scots (10-4) with two goals and an assist. Jovanni Cervantes, Robben Ferrufino and Pedro Rodriguez each added a goal to the effort. Amir Odeh and Luka Banda each added an assist.

St. Joseph hangs 10 goals on Merit Academy for 2A semifinal seat

In the 2A championship race, No. 4 St. Joseph, working off a 4-2 halftime lead, stayed busy cruising over No. 5 Merit Academy 10-2 in the 2A quarterfinals Friday at home. Alex Hernandez racked up six total goals for the double hat trick.

St. Joseph meets No. 1 Maeser Prep in the 2A semifinals Thursday at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman. Kickoff time has yet to be determined.

Brock Smith, Hector Trigueros, Daniel Fontes and Sébastian Figuero each added a goal for the Jayhawks (1-4). Smith (6), Figuero (1) and Alex Hernandez (2) rounded out the assist column.

SCORES, NO STATS REPORTED

MORGAN def. CARBON 1-1 (4-1 PK)

Connect with sports reporter Conner Becker via email at cbecker@standard.net and X @ctbecker.