Sandy • Scoring a goal at Rio Tinto Stadium has been a dream for Skyline High senior Ani Jensen. On Friday, it came true.
Jensen scored the game-winning golden goal in extra time of a 2-1 win over Bonneville, lifting the Eagles to their first state championship since 2015. It was the school’s first title in that sport since moving up to 5A from 4A.
“I’ve been fighting for this championship for four years,” Jensen said. “We’ve all dreamt of it. We’re finally here. It’s an honor to even play in this amazing field, and to win it is just the best feeling in the whole world.”
Skyline and Bonneville were tied 1-1 after Lakers senior Hailey Price scored in the 73rd minute. Before then, the Eagles controlled the game and looked well on their way to a shutout.
Moments after Price’s goal, a Bonneville player — upset a referee was in her line of sight as she tried to shoot the ball — received a red card and was ejected for something she said.
Skyline coach Yamil Castillo said it was the team’s overall discipline that allowed it not to get deflated and come out in extra time trying to put the game away.
“There was no panic, we didn’t quit and we kept playing,” Castillo said. “We made adjustments, we put an extra forward up front, and the goal came for that reason.”
Eagles junior Lilly Kimball scored in the 36th minute to give her team the 1-0 lead.
The win marked Skyline’s third state title in school story history, and second under Castillo, who said the years of reaching state championship games but coming up short were all worth it.
“I thought we were never going to win this,” Castillo said. “But we did it — and we’re ready for more.”