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HERRIMAN — In a thrilling 3A girls soccer semifinal at Zions Bank Stadium, the Morgan Trojans pulled off a stunning upset, defeating the previously undefeated Judge Memorial Bulldogs 2-1 to secure their place in the state championship game.
Morgan, the No. 4 seed, showcased their defensive resilience, taking down the top-seeded Bulldogs in a dramatic fashion that left fans on the edge of their seats.
Judge Memorial entered the game with a perfect 16-0 record, fresh off a dominant 3-0 victory over Juan Diego in the quarterfinals. The Bulldogs had been nearly unstoppable all season, with standout performances from players like Callie Lipson, Emily Christensen, and Lily Wikstrom.
Meanwhile, Morgan came into the semifinals riding high after an 8-0 blowout win over Juab, bolstering their confidence as they eyed the championship.
The game started with Judge Memorial taking early control. In the first half, Lipson found the back of the net in the 23rd minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse by the Trojans. A slip by the Morgan goalkeeper allowed Lipson an easy tap-in, giving Judge Memorial a 1-0 lead.
Despite the early setback, Morgan refused to back down. With just 38 seconds left in the first half, Kapree Charleton delivered a game-changing strike, sending a powerful shot into the net to tie the game 1-1. The goal sent Morgan into halftime with newfound momentum and belief.
"We knew we had to fight back," said Morgan's Macie Burton after the game. "It was a super fun game, especially since we lost to Judge earlier this season. It's just always fun to win."
The second half saw relentless pressure from Judge Memorial as they searched for a go-ahead goal; however, Morgan's defense, which had been rock solid throughout their playoff run, held firm. The Trojans refused to slow down, blocking shots and shutting down Judge's attacks.
Then, in the 72nd minute, the game's turning point came when a handball in the box by Judge's Sienna Love gave Morgan a penalty kick, and Burton stepped up to take it.
With the game on the line, Burton calmly blasted the ball past the Bulldogs' goalkeeper, giving Morgan a 2-1 lead.
"We watched a lot of film on them and made sure we fixed the mistakes we made the last time we played them." Burton said.
As the clock ticked down, Judge Memorial pressed hard for an equalizer, but Morgan's defense continued to stand tall. The Trojans' speed and tactical awareness denied every attempt by the Bulldogs to extend their unbeaten streak.
When the final whistle blew, Morgan's players erupted in celebration, having handed Judge Memorial their first loss of the season, and punched their ticket to the 3A state championship game.
Next up for Morgan is a showdown against defending champions Ogden, in a rematch of last year's title game.
Morgan's preparation is already underway, with Burton emphasizing the importance of focus in their quest for the championship.
"We've lost to Ogden every single year," Burton said. "So I think we just need to focus extra hard, get ready, and fix the mistakes we made today."
Morgan's upset victory sets the stage for a high-stakes championship clash on Saturday, Oct. 26 at Zions Bank Stadium, as they look to dethrone the reigning champions and complete their remarkable playoff run.
