Perfect season complete: Pusch Ridge Lions are 3A boys soccer state champs

Pusch Ridge Christian Academy defeated No. 1 Gilbert Christian 2-1 on Saturday to win the 2024 3A boys soccer state championship. The Lions finished the season with a perfect 12-0 record, only conceding two goals in the entire playoffs.

"It was a battle all the way through," coach Geoff Neale said. "Those guys (Gilbert Christian) came out of the get-go and scored a great goal. We had to respond, and we did that. They played us hard against us, but we kept going back to the basic things and stuck it out."

Quick start, great comeback

A battle indeed. When the horn blew to start the game, it only took Gilbert Christian 44 seconds to score the first goal of the game. Captain Kaleb Powell collected a volley from inside the box and smashed it through the net, leaving Pusch Ridge shocked.

Being down a goal with only a minute having elapsed, the Lions found themselves in unfamiliar territory, but the players didn't let the quick strike into their heads. Ten minutes later, Pusch Ridge was able to find the equalizer off striker Keagan Dorschner's powerful shot.

More High School sports news: Sunnyside's Audrey Jimenez makes history, winning Arizona HS wrestling title against boys

With the game tied, the entire momentum shifted the Lions' way, and 30 seconds after the equalizer, senior captain Collin Tompkins found the back of the goal to give Pusch Ridge a 2-1 lead. For the rest of the first half both teams had opportunities but were unable to find the back of the net.

Dorschner recalled this situation as a sign of chemistry from his team.

"A lot of this has to do with the chemistry with these guys," Dorschner said. "I've played with about ten of them for more than a decade. They're more than teammates, they're brothers."

Staggering finish

The second half of the game was a stalemate. Gilbert Christian had many chances to score the equalizer, but Pusch Ridge's strong defense held up and didn't give the Knights any opportunities to strike.

Tompkins, whose goal proved to be the clincher, said he thought that set the tone for the Lions to win it all.

"The ball was at my foot, next thing you know, the ball is in the goal," Tompkins said. "It just set the tone for the rest of the game. It's important to go out strong and assert dominance. I think we did that after that second goal, and that's the reason why we're crowned champs."

Neale said the victory was a sign of a group that never gives up, and was vocal to help provide the victory for the team and all the seniors who played their last game for Pusch Ridge.

"I'm so happy I got to be a part of it," Neale said. "I'm saying goodbye to most of these guys and I couldn't imagine going out any better way than this."

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Pusch Ridge Lions win 3A boys soccer title over Gilbert Christian