Two squads woke up Friday morning, 95.9 miles between campuses, with an opportunity to win the Arizona 4A boys state soccer title.

After a full day of trying to remain focused in classes, two separate bus rides, enough nervous energy to light up the field at Mesa High, and 80 minutes of regulation play, the two teams were going to be handed different trophies and needing to deal with two extremely contrasting feelings.

Inevitably, one team laid their heads down at the end of the day downtrodden, filled with what ifs, while the other squad was euphoric and no longer needing to dream about being a state champion.

There were a ton of variables throughout a season that started in October that led to sixth-seeded Ironwood Ridge and No. 1 ALA-Gilbert North meeting at midfield at Mesa on Friday night.

Thanks to a hellacious defense, a goalie playing fearless with an attacking mindset and a goal in each half, the players from ALA-Gilbert North fell on the better side of the ultimate outcome.

The Eagles won the 4A title game 2-0 for the program’s second state title in its third appearance since 2021 over Ironwood Ridge, which made its first appearance in a state championship game.

“I woke up with butterflies in my stomach and I could not stop thinking about it during every class. It would not stop,” ALA-Gilbert North goal keeper Shane Keller said. “By the time the first whistle goes off, I felt fine and was ready to go.”

ALA-GN (16-4) took the lead just 12 minutes into the match off a corner kick when Garrett Baker finished off a corner kick by Emerson Hall. The bender originally fell into possession by Seth McEuen, but his shot deflected to Baker, who snuck it past junior goalkeeper Landen Kappes.

“There are bounces all of the time and you always have to be ready for the caroms,” Baker said. “It was amazing to score in a state championship. Seeing the ball go to the back of the net and being able to celebrate with boys in the corner means everything to me.”

Ironwood Ridge (14-8-1) picked up the pressure from there and had several chances to tie it up, but the Knighthawks failed to crack the confidence, wingspan, instincts, or quickness of junior goalie Shane Keller.

“We got to bury those,” Ironwood Ridge coach Erik Wolf said. “There were a few times not even in the box but inside the six. We have to put a little pace on those and get a better foot those.

“The reality is their keeper played fantastic. He covers ground, he holds every ball that otherwise would be parried off for a second shot.”

Keller had upwards of 15 saves, few of them routine, as the Nighthawks attacked from all angles and variety of attempts.

But it was never enough as Keller always found a way.          

Keller was aggressive on every opportunity he had, securing the ball several times after Ironwood Ridge had weaved its way inside the box, including a point-blank blast that he absorbed and cleared it to his teammates 30-yards down the field.

“I give him that, that MVP was his,” Baker said. “He made every stop and played an amazing game.”

Another time he came out front, he didn’t control the ball with two Nighthawks circling.
Somehow, he managed a Hungry, Hungry Hippos-looking maneuver and sucked the ball into his chest.

“I saw it on the ground, and I would have raised everything to save it,” the game MVP said. “If they score the pressure is completely different the rest of the way. I couldn’t let it happen.”

No goalie is able to post a shutout in a state championship game without the players defensive backfield in front of him.

Senior Logan Gonzalez's flawless slide tackles thwarted several deep penetrations by the Nighthawks, Trevin Andrews, Grany Lindstrom, Frankie Rocuzzo and Afanyu Chikando interrupted routes, intercepted passes, and interceded every Nighthawk offensive push.

Coach Mike Gonzalez has the luxury of his nephew’s knowledge and confidence patrolling the backend, communicating with his teammates and desire to win it all.

“We were locked in from the get-go,” said the younger Gonzalez, who wore a yellow arm band as team captain. “It’s an honor to play with these boys and the respect we have when I talk to them and how we work things out when they were pushing the ball up.”

The defense thwarted Ironwood Ridge, while the offense upped the win probability with just over 20 minutes left in the second half when Baker assisted McEuen, a freshman who didn’t start playing until January, for the second goal.

“The second goal was very important to give us that cushion and take the pressure off,” Coach Gonzalez said. “You can never let up, but it always you to play with confidence and possibly be more aggressive in the right situation. The defense was phenomenal.”

The Knighthawks were slow to accept the runners-up trophy, but over time the players will realize the importance and historic nature of making the program’s first state appearance.

“It’s frustrating to know if the ball goes two inches the other way we could be state champs,” senior captain and Colby Rouintree said. “It’s a sucky feeling but being able to do it with the guys I love trumps that feeling. I know tomorrow I can wake up knowing I gave it my all and as I senior I can walk away knowing I helped this program go to a state championship game for the first time.”

But it was clear, the match was all about Eagles.

They were the ones who were able to end the night by laying their heads down and no longer having to dream about it.

The players for ALA-Gilbert North are state champions.

Send comments and story ideas to jskoda@azpreps365.com. Follow him on X at @AzPreps365Skoda