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High school girls soccer: Samantha Brown’s long-range effort lifts Ridgeline to coveted 4A state championship

· Yahoo Sports

Ridgeline celebrates their win during the 4A high school girls state championship against Crimson Cliffs at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News

Ridgeline got the different outcome it was hoping for.

After finishing runner-up in penalties in the 4A final a year ago, Riverhawks coach Richard Alexander’s message to his team ahead of Friday’s state championship was a simple one — go get a different color trophy.

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Samantha Brown scored the game’s only goal in the 51st minute, and then her team’s stout defense locked things down from there as Ridgeline eked out the 1-0 victory over Crimson Cliffs to walk away with that coveted gold trophy this time.

“We were so close last year. We lost by one PK, and so I think we just came in here knowing we weren’t going to lose and we were willing to do whatever we could to make sure that happened,” said Riverhawks senior defender Rylee Vetica.

The victory was the 15th straight to end the season for Ridgeline, which got off to a bit of a slow start with a 3-3 record in the opening few weeks.

But the Riverhawks turned things around in region play and never looked back, securing a shutout in three of their four playoff victories.

Last year’s near miss played a big part of this team’s success, according to Alexander.

“Getting to this game, there was more of a grateful feel,” Alexander said. “Just being able to be on this field again and to compete for another final was a gratifying feeling that I know that we all shared, but then there’s also that ‘We’re not going to lose this game again’ mentality that came out as well that was super fierce, and it showed today.”

With two of the stingiest defenses in 4A squaring off, predictably Friday’s final had a very defensive feel.

Crimson Cliffs came into the game with just eight goals against this season, while Ridgeline had allowed 18 goals in earning a share of the Region 11 championship.

Ridgeline’s Taylie Rigby (20) slide tackles Crimson Cliffs’ Macey Woolley (17) during the 4A high school girls state championship at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News Ridgeline celebrates their win during the 4A high school girls state championship against Crimson Cliffs at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News Crimson Cliffs’ Emmie Gardner (2) lays out Ridgeline’s Yadi Parker (17) during the 4A high school girls state championship at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News Ridgeline’s Lily Hunsaker (8) shoots the ball during the 4A high school girls state championship against Crimson Cliffs at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News Ridgeline celebrates their win during the 4A high school girls state championship against Crimson Cliffs at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News Crimson Cliffs’ Aihlany Garcia (4) shoots the ball during the 4A high school girls state championship against Ridgeline at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News Ridgeline’s Mya Vetica (26) crosses the ball during the 4A high school girls state championship against Crimson Cliffs at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News Ridgeline’s Kemrie Grange (18) takes a long shot during the 4A high school girls state championship against Crimson Cliffs at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News Ridgeline’s Lily Hunsaker (8) shoots the ball over Crimson Cliffs’ Kennedy Madsen (00) during the 4A high school girls state championship at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News Ridgeline’s Lily Hunsaker (8) shoots the ball during the 4A high school girls state championship against Crimson Cliffs at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News Ridgeline celebrates their goal during the 4A high school girls state championship against Crimson Cliffs at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News Ridgeline’s Sam Brown (16) and Crimson Cliffs’ Samantha Smith (15) battle for the ball during the 4A high school girls state championship at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News Ridgeline’s Reagan Brown (7) dribbles the ball down field during the 4A high school girls state championship against Crimson Cliffs at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News Ridgeline’s Lily Hunsaker (8) and Crimson Cliffs’ Brecke Boyer (22) fight for the ball during the 4A high school girls state championship at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News during the 4A high school girls state championship against _ at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News Ridgeline celebrates their win during the 4A high school girls state championship against Crimson Cliffs at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News Ridgeline poses for a photo after winning the 4A high school girls state championship against Crimson Cliffs at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News Players from Crimson Cliffs and Ridgeline stand in the center of the field for the national anthem during the 4A high school girls state championship at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News

“We knew it was going to be a grind, but we prepared and our defensive line has been pedal to the metal,” Vetica said. “We have been putting in so much work, and we just executed.”

After a scoreless first half, Ridgeline finally broke the deadlock in the 51st minute on Brown’s team-leading 21st goal of the season.

Her long-range tally came just 30 seconds after Ridgeline squandered a potential 1v1 opportunity with the Crimson Cliffs keeper on a heavy touch at the top of the box.

The Riverhawks quickly won the ball back, and then Melanie Smith played a simple pass to Brown 25 yards from goal. The sophomore midfielder took a touch around the defender and uncorked a shot over the keeper for the 1-0 lead.

Brown is also star player on Ridgeline’s girls basketball team, and Alexander said she brings such a unique dynamic to the field.

“I love two-sport athletes because they bring such a different diversity to the game,” Alexander said. “It’s not just the soccer knowledge, it’s the basketball IQ as well that kind of plays into it, and Sam’s amazing.

“We love Sam, and we’re really hoping that she comes back next season.”

Down a goal, Crimson Cliffs tried to attack with more urgency over the final half hour, but Ridgeline’s stingy defense made it difficult to find the spaces to exploit.

The Mustangs’ best opportunity came in the 64th minute when leading scorer Macey Woolley lofted a difficult angle shot off the top of the crossbar.

Ridgeline’s defense was rarely threatened after that as it earned its 10th shutout of the season.

Back in the summer, Alexander thought he had a quarterfinal-caliber team this year, and knew anything beyond that would be difficult.

His players surprised throughout the season though, and he’s never been more happy to be wrong.

“They came together, played some really good soccer down the stretch, and that belief and that trust that they had … and here we are now," he said.

“These girls are amazing. They’re incredible. They stayed together, and here we are, state champs.”

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Why Legal Experts See the Justice Dept.’s Alaska Election Challenge as Dubious

· NY Times

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Michigan Senate rivals clash over Muslim Brotherhood allegations as Rogers doubles down on El-Sayed

· Fox News

Michigan Democrat Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed accused Republican rival Mike Rogers of questioning his loyalty to the United States during a heated Fox News interview Friday, while Rogers doubled down on allegations that his opponent has embraced the ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood.

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The candidates both spoke separately with Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier on "Special Report" in Detroit, 11 days before the Nov. 3 election.

Baier pressed El-Sayed about a 2012 statement involving former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, who was affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood.

EL-SAYED, ROGERS CLASH OVER MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD, TRUMP AND GUNS: 5 FIERY DEBATE MOMENTS

"No, no, no, let me just stop there," El-Sayed interrupted. "You are asking this question to raise a question about whether or not I have dual loyalties."

Baier explained he was asking about allegations raised by Rogers' campaign.

"I will be loyal to the Constitution of the United States," El-Sayed said.

"Don't be Rogers' campaign," he continued.

ABDUL EL-SAYED GROWS AGITATED WITH REPORTER AFTER BEING PRESSED ON FAMILY'S ALLEGED MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD TIES

"I'm asking a question," Baier replied.

"Be a journalist," El-Sayed shot back.

"I am," Baier responded.

El-Sayed accused Rogers of making his Muslim faith a campaign issue, calling the suggestion "sad" and "beneath him."

EL-SAYED'S PAST MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD COMMENTS RAISE RED FLAGS AS HE EYES POWERFUL ROLE

The controversy centers partly on a 2012 letter that the Washington Free Beacon reported El-Sayed signed supporting decisions by then-Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, including calls to purge Egypt's police and media.

El-Sayed has also faced scrutiny over social media posts from his half-sister describing their mother's alleged involvement in Muslim Brotherhood activism in the 1970s. He has denied personal or family ties to the organization and said he was raised by his father and stepmother.

In an Oct. 17 Fox News interview, El-Sayed acknowledged that his sister-in-law was a plaintiff in a lawsuit challenging her alleged placement on a terrorist watchlist, but insisted she had done nothing wrong. The FBI declined to confirm or deny her watchlist status. The lawsuit does not establish wrongdoing.

Rogers rejected El-Sayed's characterization in his own interview.

ROGERS WARNS MICHIGAN VOTERS AGAINST EL-SAYED’S ‘EXTREME’ AGENDA AHEAD OF ELECTION

"I wore the uniform of the United States. Many in my family, including our son, wore the uniform of the United States so he can pray any way he wants," Rogers said. "It is not how he prays, it's how he thinks."

Rogers accused El-Sayed of embracing the organization's ideology and portraying himself as a victim.

"He has adopted the ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood," Rogers alleged.

Baier noted that El-Sayed had denied ever belonging to the organization and pledged allegiance to the Constitution.

"Does he disavow? Does he really say it?" Rogers responded.

El-Sayed had explicitly disavowed the organization at an Oct. 17 town hall, answering, "Sure. Yeah, absolutely" when asked.

The candidates also differed over the war with Iran, which El-Sayed blamed for rising gasoline and grocery prices.

"We need a war powers resolution to end the capacity for this president to wage an illegal, unjustifiable war," El-Sayed said.

Rogers defended the original rationale for military action but said he has urged President Donald Trump to end the conflict.

"I've called for him to wrap it up. That's the right thing to do," Rogers said.

Turning to Michigan's economy, Rogers said the state has lost 27,000 manufacturing jobs and faces some of the nation's highest auto insurance costs. He also raised concerns about education, claiming roughly two-thirds of fourth graders cannot read at grade level.

Rogers defended Trump's influence in Michigan, pointing to his support among voters and crediting his trade policies with encouraging General Motors to bring Silverado pickup truck production back to the state.

But the Republican acknowledged a disagreement with Trump over trade with Canada.

"I've come out and said we shouldn't be doing the Canadian tariffs the way we are doing them," Rogers said.

Baier also pressed El-Sayed over Medicare for All, and whether middle-class taxes would rise.

"I'm fine with people keeping their private insurance if that's what they want, but I want guaranteed public insurance for everybody," El-Sayed said.

Rogers disputed El-Sayed's position, arguing that Medicare for All would eliminate private insurance and raise costs for Michigan families.

El-Sayed touted upcoming campaign appearances with former President Barack Obama and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., while questioning whether Trump would help Rogers in Michigan.

With both Trump and Obama expected to campaign in Michigan over the weekend, the candidates are turning to their parties' most recognizable figures as they make their final pitches to voters ahead of Election Day.

Fox News Digital's Leo Briceno contributed to this reporting.

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