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Sandy • It's a drill Regyn Youngberg and Ireland Dunn have practiced a thousand times.

So when the Davis forwards had a chance to execute it during the 5A state championship game Friday at Rio Tinto Stadium, they were not going to be denied.

Shucking her defender in the ninth minute, Dunn broke hard towards the backline. With Lone Peak converging on the junior striker, Dunn pierced a cross to the over-prepared Youngberg. Catching the pass at full speed, Youngberg connected to the back of the net for the first of two goals by the Darts.

Davis downed Lone Peak 2-1 in a gritty and physical title-game match.

Dunn said playing the previously undefeated Knights was the challenge Davis has been preparing for all season, and the Darts refused to back down.

"This was our game to win. All respect to Lone Peak, but we came here to win and that's what we did," Dunn said.

In winning their first title since 1995, the Darts were pushed to the brink by an equally well-coached, well-conditioned and determined team. Dunn was spectacular in challenging the Knights' defense, but the victory may well have come down to the Darts' midfield and dominating backline.

"Our defense doesn't get the recognition it deserves," Olivia Wade said. "They play so strong, always competing, and they kept us in this game the entire time."

Wade's contribution to the win came in the 54th minute. After Youngberg was taken down hard in the box, the Darts were awarded a penalty kick.

Coach Souli Phongsavath didn't think twice when calling Wade's name. Knowing, from practice, that the freshman can score, he trusted Wade to step up at the right time. Squaring up against Lone Peak's Cassidy Smith, Wade cracked the ball into the upper left corner.

"I picked her because she was a freshman and probably didn't know any better," Phongsavath laughed. "Absolutely fantastic kick."

Stalled but not down, Lone Peak responded in the 63rd minute. Cameron Tucker fed a perfect cross to Natalie Lewis, who put it solidly just inside the left post. Rejuvenated, the Knights brought a full assault against the Darts, almost willing the equalizing goal.

But the Darts' fullbacks, led by Madison Carter and Mia Stoddard, halted the Knights, surrendering their bodies and making daring tackles to prohibit the tying goal.

The Darts cleared the ball at every opportunity and trusted Mikayla Colohan to keep feeding the ball forward. —

5A soccer Davis 2, Lone Peak 1

O The Davis Darts win the 5A state championship at Rio Tinto, 2-1, against the Lone Peak Knights.

• Regyn Youngberg scores in the 9th minute.

• Olivia Wade scores on a penalty kick in the 54th minute.