SANDY, Utah — After coming up short in last year’s title match, the Ogden Tigers roared back to the top of Utah’s 3A girls soccer ranks Saturday afternoon, defeating Manti 5-1 at America First Field to claim their sixth state championship in school history.
The victory marked a full-circle moment for Ogden, whose high-powered offense and airtight defense were on full display from start to finish.
“We knew we wanted it and wanted to come back even stronger than last year,” said forward Elle Weston, who led the Tigers with two goals and one assist. “Our team chemistry and team environment were just so good this year.”
First-half fireworks
Ogden wasted no time asserting control. In the fourth minute, Weston assisted Megan Beus for the opening goal, setting the tone for the Tigers’ attack. Just minutes later, Weston doubled the lead with a solo strike that made it 2-0.
Manti briefly fought back when Chloe Olson booted in a goal to cut the deficit in half, but Ogden’s offensive pressure never relented. Weston drew a foul inside the box with seven minutes left in the half and buried the penalty kick, giving Ogden a 3-1 advantage at halftime.
“It was fun to score, but my favorite moment was seeing Megan [Beus] get that first one,” Weston said, emphasizing the team’s unity.
Second-half domination
Manti goalkeeper Averie Jo (AJ) Robbins turned in a heroic performance despite the scoreline, stopping several point-blank shots from Ogden’s relentless front line. Still, rebounds and precision shooting proved too much.
Midfielder Gwenyth Aardema extended the lead to 4-1 after capitalizing on her own rebound, and Capri Colvin sealed the victory with a perfectly placed long-range shot into the far corner for Ogden’s fifth goal.
Meanwhile, the Tigers’ defense — anchored by senior defender Lily Gallegos and keeper Whitney Fife — held Manti scoreless in the second half.
“Our defense has always been connected,” Gallegos said. “If someone makes a mistake, there’s always somebody there to pick us up.”
Championship mindset
For head coach Alexis King, who celebrated her first title as a head coach, the win was the culmination of months of discipline and mental toughness.
“Our focus all season was mindset,” King said. “We know we can play at a high level, so we push ourselves to stay there every day — whether it’s practice or a game.”
Ogden finished the season 16-2, cementing its dominance as one of Utah’s premier small-school programs.
Despite the loss, Manti coach Nate Bridges praised his players’ resilience after a strong playoff run that included upsetting rival Carbon.
“This season was great,” Bridges said. “We’re proud of our girls. We’ll come back, work hard, and give Ogden a better game next year.”
Final Score: Ogden 5, Manti 1
Championship: 3A Girls Soccer, Utah High School Activities Association
Venue: America First Field, Sandy
Ogden Titles: 6th in program history
