High school boys soccer: Olympus beats Alta for the first time in at least 25 years

On Tuesday, Olympus did something it hasn’t done in at least 25 years.

The Deseret News’ boys soccer records go back to the 2000-2001 season, and since then, Alta has been a perfect 8-0 against the Titans.

The Hawks, who are the defending 5A champs, have also been one of the favorites to repeat this year. Before Tuesday, they had a perfect 9-0 region record and were undefeated at home.

All of that was spoiled for Alta on Tuesday as Olympus went into Sandy, and for the first time in at least 25 years, left with a 2-1 victory.

“It’s definitely a great win and definitely a good confidence booster,” said Olympus head coach Isaac James. “This Alta team, they’ve been top dogs for a long time and won the state championship last year and are probably favored to win it in 5A again this year. So, it’s definitely a good win.”

It was Olympus that pressed to start, and they controlled the pace for most of the game while Alta was on the back foot.

The scoring didn’t come immediately, but Olympus largely kept the ball in the final third, and it paid off in the 31st minute.

It came on a free kick from the midfield. Marc Mercadal soared it behind the Hawks’ defense, and Peter Gilbert got a head on it for his first goal of the season.

“It was a little bit ironic that was the goal we scored, because air balls are not our forte, and we missed a couple of other opportunities that were available on the ground,” James said. “Great goal from Peter. Excited that he got that.”

The momentum stuck with the Titans into the second half. Similar to the first half, Olympus kept earning chances at the goal but kept coming up just short.

Olympus often kept the ball by taking it away from Alta after its first touches, and overall won 50/50 balls in neutral territory.

The lead grew in the 55th minute when a throw-in from Andrew Goddard was headed in by Ezra Heyes for the 2-0 lead.

“It was just a classic throw-in that we usually do,” Heyes said. “On those throw-ins, I’m just like the target guy. It was an absolutely amazing feeling when I saw it going in.

“We’ve always hated playing on their grass. It’s bumpy, slow, and it’s absolutely amazing to beat them at home.”

With a team as good as Alta, even a 2-0 lead with only 25 minutes to play isn’t enough to guarantee a win.

That showed as just three minutes later, Alta’s Jack McAllister crossed in a corner kick, which Andrew Affleck redirected into the back of the net.

After that, Alta got some of its confidence back, and it was Olympus who was on the back foot. A major scare for the Titans came in the 63rd minute after an Alta shot attempt went off the post.

“No amount of goals ahead is enough against Alta,” James said. “I’m definitely glad we got that second goal, and obviously we needed it. They were about one inch from tying it up with that shot that came off the post. So sometimes the ball bounces our way.”

While Olympus is likely too far out to make any real run at a Region 6 championship, the win was a big confidence booster that it needed as the state tournament looms just weeks away.

“This win, it’s really important for us,” James said. “I think we struggle when we play from behind. It changes the whole tone of the game. It was great that we came out and took the game to Alta. I don’t think that happens to Alta very often. I am proud of the guys. They worked their butts off and played great.”