Juan Diego CHS soccer team has undefeated season

Friday, May. 27, 2016

DRAPER — The Juan Diego Catholic High School student section chanted “undefeated” as the Soaring Eagle soccer team defeated Snow Canyon in the UHSAA 3A boys’ soccer state title game with a 1-0 victory May 14.

The Juan Diego soccer team had its most successful season ever this year, winning its third straight Region XI championship and its first UHSAA 3A soccer state championship title, said Scott Platz, Juan Diego head soccer coach.

“After going 14-0 during the regular season to win the Region XI title, the team capped an undefeated season by going 4-0 in the state championship playoffs,” Platz said. 

“The team was led in scoring by sophomore Jered Mariani, who tallied 16 goals on the season. Ruben Castillo was second in scoring with 15 goals, and Michael DiGeronimo was third with 10 goals, including the sudden death game-winning goal in double over-time in the semi-final game against Dixie High School, the defending champions,” said Platz. 

Brandon Sands led the team in assists with 11, and also scored the game winning goal in the championship game on a free kick; it was his sixth goal of the season. David Hurtado and DiGeronimo each had seven assists, Platz said. 

Juan Diego’s defense tied a state record for the fewest goals given up in a single season by only allowing five. The defense was led by center back seniors Julien Williamson and Woodey Greer, and sophomore goalkeeper Martin Kelly, who led Class 3A in shutouts with 10.5. 

“I’ve never wanted anything more in my life than to keep that ball out of the net and win this game,” Kelly said of the championship. “As a sophomore, I’m glad I can be a part of this.”

New outside backs Alex Saunders, David Grostic and Evan Carlyle also contributed to the overall success of the team’s defense, said Platz. 

The nine graduating seniors on the team “are the most accomplished in Juan Diego soccer history, winning three straight region championships and the first state championship: Bryan Perez, Vincent Nguyen, Andrew Griffiths, DiGeronimo, Hurtado, Sands, Williamson, Greer, and the unsung hero of the group, Garrett Albright,” said Platz.  “They will leave a huge void, but there is talent in the program ready to contribute and continue the success that the seniors have established.”