The boys Open state championship was full of plot twists. 

For starters, Washington High School, a 5A school with a 1,756 enrollment, led 6A Desert Vista (2,964 enrollment) 1-0 in the first ever Open title game for boys. But Desert Vista didn’t stand idly by.

It tied the match before it went to overtime and then a penalty shootout, where more drama unfolded until Desert Vista clinched this championship classic at Mesa.

“One of the things we talked about in the week was that we couldn't look past Washington,” Desert Vista coach Trent Elliott said. “Washington was a very good team that beat good teams to get to the championship game and they deserve all the credit for getting to this point. We wanted to stay focused on things we could control and what we had done all season. As a coach you hate to see a game end on penalty kicks, but I knew we had put the work in at practice and focused on being consistent with your penalty kicks.”

In the shootout, which was tied 5-5 after the first five rounds, Desert Vista capitalized on a Washington miss.

In the first round of sudden death, goalkeeper Caegen Terrell guessed correctly and came up with the biggest block of his high school career. Senior midfielder Dario Melo then added the exclamation point to his team’s season after putting the ball perfectly in the left corner to end the long, hard-fought game.

"It felt great,” Melo said. “It was one of the best feelings I have ever felt as an athlete, because of the pressure of the moment then being able to celebrate with my teammates right after."

The first half was a back-and-forth battle with impressive goalkeeper saves.

Washington finished the half with some strong attacks but was unable to finish any opportunities.

The second half started with Desert Vista attacking in the box. It was able to get a flurry of shots on target but was unable to score as well.

Shortly after, Washington started to control possession and go on the attack. 

After receiving a beautifully placed through ball, Pablo Morquecho was able to chip the Desert Vista keeper for a well-timed goal to put Washington up 1-0. 

This was followed by a fired-up Washington crowd chanting, “Pablo! Pablo! Pablo! Pablo!”

But moments after taking the lead, Desert Vista attacked and was able to find an equalizer after Jaiideen Rubi scored inside the box.

With both defenses tightening up, the game went to overtime. Desert Vista ramped up its attack in overtime and was pressing hard to score. But Washington’s defense held strong, followed by strong goalkeeper play from Carlos Arizmendi.

Washington attempted some well-organized counter attacks but was unable to capitalize, sending the game to a penalty shootout.

Although Washington was unable to win the Open, it still considered its season a great success.

“I am so proud of these boys,” Washington coach Adam Roberts said. “To me, the way we fought all the way up to the end, that was a win to us. Obviously, it didn’t go our way with the kicks but the way we played the match, I was so pleased with the efforts we made. This is a temporary setback because the championship that was won is the championship that these young men will have going into their lives as adults. As husbands and fathers and leaders of their families. They stood up this season and are well prepared to represent themselves and their families as they move forward.”