Juan Diego settled for second — again

DRAPER — Unfortunately for the Juan Diego soccer team, it is becoming familiar with the saying: "Always a bridesmaid, never the bride."

For the second consecutive season, the Soaring Eagle finished as the runners-up in the 3A state championship, losing this time to Judge Memorial 1-0.

"It is a difficult thing to come so close and not finish it off," said coach Jamie Schock. "They worked hard all year to get to that point. It is pretty heartbreaking to lose a championship game, and to do it two years in a row, it is tough. But even with that, the girls can be proud of what they accomplished."

The team suffered through a rough beginning, starting the year 1-3. But it certainly wasn't time to push the panic button as all three losses were to 4A schools, including a tough loss to the eventual champs from Orem. Schock admits he likes the brutal schedule, which in total included four games with 4A competition and a victory over 5A Skyline. That's to try to get the team ready for playoff time considering Juan Diego's Region 8 is not exactly filled with soccer powers.

"If we get beat up a little bit in the nonregion play, that is all right," Schock said. "I like to try to get as many tough games as possible. It is getting harder to get those games, though. No one wants to play a 3A team, and I can't really blame them. It is a no-win for them. If they win, they were supposed to beat us, but if we beat them, then. ... You see the dilemma."

"We will try to keep that philosophy. It has served us pretty well."

After the first four games Juan Diego got on a roll. It ripped through the last six of its nonregion games, including a 3-2 overtime win against Judge. It went through its region schedule perfect for the third-straight time and entered the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in the state.

The Soaring Eagle appeared as if they might be a team of destiny after a quarterfinal win over Waterford. In an amazing comeback, the team scored two goals in the final five minutes to force overtime and scored the game-winner with just minutes to play. It was the type of win that can catapult a team to a title.

"It is one of the best wins I've been a part of," said Schock. "The thing about it was the girls never doubted. They had almost a calm over them and knew they could do it."

Alas, it wasn't meant to be, but that doesn't mean it can't happen anytime soon. Although the team loses nine seniors, including some standouts such as Jenna Spear, Olivia Wee, Madi Fox and Heidi Laabs-Johnson, there is plenty of talent coming back.

Kylee Brown, Anna Jung, Sha Roberts and team MVP Jen Flynn will be back next season. The Soaring Eagle want it to finally be the year they make that walk up the aisle to the front and not veer to the left at the last second. They want to hoist a championship trophy over their heads and take the victory lap. They want to be the bride.

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E-mail: mblack@desnews.com