St. Johns didn’t waver against a program that pretty much owns the fall soccer season. 

The Redskins trailed late in regulation and in the first overtime but regrouped each time Saturday at Coronado High. St. Johns also rallied twice in the shootout to conquer three-time defending champ Northland Prep.   

In the sixth round of the shootout, with fans lined near a fence after coming down from the stands, junior Lucy Sundahl buried her penalty kick into the left side of the net to clinch the 2025 crown for the never-say-die Redskins. 

The match, tied 2-2 after the two 10-minute overtimes, ended with the Redskins outscoring Northland Prep 4-3 in the shootout. 

“We’ve had halves where we’ve been down two and come back to win 3-2,” St. Johns coach Shayla Udall said. “I wasn’t worried for a second when we trailed. This team is a team of resilience and so much grit. They never give up. We have six seniors who just love the team.”

A Reece Kellar 8th minute goal stood for Northland Prep until 14:39 remained in regulation. 

That’s when Alyvia Richardson, one of the heroes for St. Johns, delivered in the clutch after a stretch in which St. Johns kept pressuring Northland Prep’s defense. 

Its efforts were rewarded when Richardson charged forward while inside the box and scored the equalizer with her left foot. With two defenders near, freshman Martha Andrus was able to tap the assist to Richardson.

But Northland Prep has plenty of pressure packed game experience. The Flagstaff program extended its soccer record consecutive title game appearance to nine. 

It was also making its 10th championship appearance in the last 12 years. 

And, 95 seconds into the first overtime, Northland Prep responded when senior Bethany Blair scored her team leading 33rd goal of the year and 58th of her career. 

“Northland Prep, I have to give it up to them,” Udall said. “They don’t give up either." 

Blair’s goal apparently didn’t rattle St. Johns, however, because it responded—about five seconds later.

Avalon Udall, the coach’s daughter, lifted and swung her right leg to score a cross from Richardson to tie the match 2-2 and record Udall’s 18th goal of the season. 

In the shootout, 19-4-1 Northland Prep went up 1-0 and 2-1. 

But captain/goalkeeper Evanna Richardson made two saves and Siboney Booth, Sage Platt, Udall and Sundahl converted their penalty kicks to close it out for 16-2 St. Johns. 

Another captain, four-year starter Morgan Lee, was named the MVP of the match after her all-out performance in the midfield during an unseasonable hot day. St. Johns won its fourth soccer title but first in 15 years. 

“We worked hard all season,” Avalon said. “We earned it. This just showed all of our dedication."  

Morgan Lee of St. Johns earned MVP honors. (Jose Garcia photo/AZPreps365)