The Sallisaw Black Diamonds etched their names into Oklahoma soccer history on Saturday night, securing a 3‑2 victory over Oklahoma City Heritage Hall to claim the Class 4A state championship.
A milestone for Sallisaw soccer
Senior midfielder Ethan Girdner was the catalyst, finishing the season with 46 goals and 15 assists, including six scores in the playoff run, and his decisive strikes helped swing the momentum in the final minutes.
Coach and teammates praised the close‑knit chemistry that had developed over the season, a bond forged after the team’s early loss to Van Buren that sparked an 18‑game winning streak.
Off the field, Girdner graduated with a 4.0 GPA, reflecting a balance of academics and athletics, and he is now weighing options to continue his soccer career at the collegiate level while enjoying the enthusiastic support of the Sallisaw community.
The triumph marks the program’s first state title in 26 years and underscores the impact of a single senior’s leadership on a team that has grown from a modest start to a dominant force in just five seasons.