HERRIMAN — After Olympus and Brighton split the regular-season girls soccer series with a 2-1 win apiece, the most obvious assumption was that the rubber match would feature a similarly tight, one-goal game.
Obvious assumptions proved wrong Friday afternoon.
Ariana Milkota notched a brace to help Brighton pull past Region 6 rival Olympus, 4-1 to secure the Bengals’ first state championship since 2013 at Zions Bank Stadium.
Jackie Scott and Saige Thurgood also scored for the Bengals (16-4) in their seventh championship in program history.
Scott gave Brighton the early lead with a header in the 18th minute. Mila Guymon equalized just under 10 minutes later for the Titans (15-4).
But the Bengals took control for good with a brace from Milkota, who notched her second goal midway through the second half and never looked back.
Thurgood, the senior Utah Valley commit, put the cherry on top with a 65th-minute free kick that kissed the far corner from close to 30 yards out.
Photographer Josh Wood was at the game for Salt City Soccer. Here’s a sample of his photos; follow him on Instagram for more, and don’t be afraid to leave a tip on Venmo if you feel so inclined.
