November 16th 2024.
After Jesus Molina's goal secured the win for Holy Family in the Class 3A state championship game, head coach Ted Hansen couldn't contain his excitement. "Finally! Finally! Thank you!" he exclaimed, overwhelmed with joy and relief. This victory marked the first state championship for the top-seeded Tigers, and it was only their second time competing in the title game. It was a moment that none of the players would soon forget, especially considering that the last time Holy Family made it this far was before they were even born.
Molina, a senior, wasted no time in the overtime period, scoring the winning goal just 2 minutes and 18 seconds in. This wasn't his first experience with state championship glory, as he had previously won with Colorado Academy. Reflecting on the goal, Molina couldn't believe it was real. "I saw Ollie moving the ball forward and I knew he was going to take on the defenders. I made eye contact with him and he gave me a perfect pass. All I had to do was tap it in," he explained.
Leading up to Molina's game-winning goal, both teams had been evenly matched, with neither able to outwit the other's defense. While the Tigers had control of the pace of play, the Jaguars' defense remained strong, allowing few opportunities for Holy Family to score. But in the end, it only took one goal to secure the win.
Molina credited the team's success to their strong back line, led by players like Matt, Achi, Max, and Dube. "I knew they wouldn't let anything get past them. They've been phenomenal all season," he said. This solid defense was a key factor in Holy Family's 16-2-2 record for the season.
The 2023 season had been a disappointment for both teams, with a combined three wins. But with new head coaches at the helm, the 2024 season brought a complete turnaround. Holy Family, despite playing a tough schedule, only lost to two 4A teams on their way to the state championship. Meanwhile, the Jaguars, who had gone winless the previous year, finished with an impressive 15 wins.
Jefferson Academy's sophomore Mason Spicer attributed their success to the return of head coach Matt Cassell, who had taken a year off after leading the team to a state title in 2021. Spicer also noted the increased determination and team spirit among his teammates, saying, "We connected a lot more and I'm just so proud of this team. The way we turned around from zero to however many wins, including playoffs, I'm just so proud of the group."
For Hansen, this victory marked a perfect start to his coaching tenure at Holy Family. He had challenged the seniors to reset the team's culture and make Holy Family soccer a program that others would want to be a part of. And with this championship win, they had done just that. As Hansen put it, "Not only did they take the championship, they're champions forever." And with this success, he can't wait to see what year two will bring for the Tigers.
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