Evergreen High School's girls soccer team captured its third straight Class 4A state championship on Saturday, beating Mullen High School by a 3-0 margin in a match that felt more like a coronation than a contest.
Senior forward Gianna Weiner, who had been battling illness all week, took the field and immediately announced her presence, striking the opening goal before setting up the second for a teammate.
In goal, Avery Mahnken turned in a performance that will be remembered for years, diving to deny a penalty kick and making a series of saves that kept the Mullen attack at bay.
A Coach's Praise
Coach Peter Jeans gathered the squad after the final whistle and spoke of a team that had found a purpose beyond the scoreboard, calling Nadia Leunig the 'player of the season' and highlighting the collective heart that had driven the campaign.
The backline's tactical keep‑away approach in the second half was not just a tactical tweak but a reflection of the trust that had been built through months of shared sacrifice.
Beyond the star names, the depth of the roster shone through as players such as Elle Buenning, Julie Tucker, Autumn Carter, Maci Martinez, Claire Hellmuth and Maija Alper contributed crucial minutes and energy off the bench.
The season's ledger reads 16‑2‑3, a record that includes a gritty comeback after a 3‑1 loss to Air Academy that seemed to galvanize the group rather than discourage it.
The journey to this trophy was not without its shadows; earlier in the school year a tragic incident shook the campus, and the team's resilience in the face of that loss became a defining narrative.
Now, with the championship banner set to hang in the gym, the players and coaches alike speak of a culture of unity that will guide the next generation, promising that the next chapter will be written with the same determination and camaraderie.