(SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.) Gilbert Christian competed valiantly, but came up just short, falling 2-1 to second-ranked Pusch Ridge (12-0) in the 2023-24 AIA 3A Boys Soccer State Championship on Saturday. Senior Kaleb Powell, the 3A East Region Offensive Player of Year, did what he does best, scoring for the Knights in the final contest of his remarkable high school career.
GCHS finishes the year at 14-2 overall, with state runner-up honors.
The title match was an intense physical battle from start to finish, between two highly-skilled and competitive squads.
Gilbert Christian surprised the Lions with an early attack just 44 seconds into play, when Powell collected a ball inside of the box and blasted it past the Pusch Ridge keeper to put his squad out front 1-0.
The Lions kept sophomore goalkeeper Hyatt Lang on his toes in the ensuing minutes, but the athletic newcomer responded, recording a trio of impressive saves to keep the Knights out front.
Ten minutes went by, featuring multiple opportunities and stops on both ends of the field, before Pusch Ridge's Keagan Dorschner found an opening, to even the score at 1-all.
The next 30 seconds turned out to be costly, as the Knights struggled to regain composure, and Pusch Ridge put together a quick counter attack to seize a 2-1 lead at 29:19.
Veteran keeper junior Brody Moore moved from the midfield into the goal after the two scores, and demonstrated his prowess with a diving save at 33:00, and hit another off track on a one-handed deflection at 13:01, but the Knights couldn't seem to find an offensive rhythm and went to the break in an unfamiliar position, trailing by a point.
The second half saw the Knights' sense of urgency increase, as the team put forth tremendous effort and moved the ball much more effectively through and around Pusch Ridge's defense. The change in intensity was clear and converted to several good looks at the Lions' goal, but the attempts came up dry, and the final buzzer sounded with Pusch Ridge on top.
The Knights graduate nine seniors whose dedication has elevated the program to one of the best in the state. Their legacy will be remembered.
-GO KNIGHTS-
