On a crisp June evening in 2026, the Kelly Walsh Knights met the Jackson Eagles in the 4A boys' soccer state championship, a match that would rewrite recent history.
A Night of Firsts for the Knights
Senior forward Ethan Leslie opened the scoring just over a minute into the contest, setting an early tempo that the Knights never relinquished.
Leslie added a penalty kick in the 28th minute and completed a hat‑trick before halftime, leaving Jackson scrambling to respond.
The Eagles managed a consolation goal from Kyrem Berestain Martinez five minutes after the break, but the Knights' lead remained intact.
In the 77th minute Leslie struck again, capping his four‑goal performance and sealing a 4‑1 victory.
The win snapped Jackson's 51‑game unbeaten streak and gave Kelly Walsh its first state title in 14 years, ending a title drought that dated back to 2012.
The Knights finished the season at 17‑2‑2, while Jackson closed at 17‑1‑1, underscoring the magnitude of the upset.
A Milestone in Program History
The triumph marked the seventh championship in Kelly Walsh's boys' soccer history and highlighted the team's consistency over the past decade.
Coach Laird Larsen and assistant Braxdon Anderson played pivotal roles in shaping a squad that finished the year with a 17‑2‑2 record.