Ridgeline and Crimson Cliffs have advanced to the 4A state girls soccer championship game following a series of unexpected semifinal results. Ridgeline secured its return to the title game by defeating top-seeded Park City 1-0 on Tuesday, while Crimson Cliffs moved forward after a tight 1-0 victory over Ridgeline.
Ridgeline Stuns Top Seed
The Ridgeline Riverhawks entered the semifinals as underdogs after a strong postseason run. In their semifinal match, the Riverhawks managed to stun the No. 1 seeded Park City with a 1-0 victory, according to HJ News reporting on Oct. 20, 2026. This win marks a return to the 4A title game for the Ridgeline program.
Earlier in the postseason, the Riverhawks demonstrated their momentum during the quarterfinals. On Oct. 15, 2026, Ridgeline recorded a dominant 6-0 win against Cedar City. That victory was fueled by a hat trick and an assist from Samantha Brown, while Lily Hunsaker contributed two goals and Reagan Brown added one. Preslee Major earned the shutout in that matchup, supported by assists from Sierra Dean.
Crimson Cliffs Advances
Despite the Riverhawks' success against Park City, their championship ambitions were halted in their semifinal matchup. Ridgeline's defense faced intense pressure as they absorbed waves of attacks from Crimson Cliffs. Ultimately, the Riverhawks fell 1-0 in a tightly contested game that determined the Region 11 champion, as reported by HJ News on Oct. 20, 2026.
Crimson Cliffs utilized the victory to secure their place in the final. Their path through the tournament included a 1-0 win over Mountain Crest on Oct. 15, 2026. In that earlier match, Kennedy Madsen recorded her 11th shutout of the season, and the Mustangs secured the decisive goal following a corner kick.
Tournament Background
The current 4A tournament landscape features several high-performing teams that have faced significant challenges. In the first round of the 4A tournament, which began on Sept. 19, 2023, the bracket saw several notable outcomes. During that period, top-seeded Green Canyon defeated Stansbury 5-0, led by two goals from BYU commit Chloe Sadler.
Other significant first-round results included Ridgeline's 6-0 victory over Cedar City and Crimson Cliffs' 1-0 win over Mountain Crest. Additionally, Park City secured a 3-0 victory against Provo, with Mallory Carter scoring two goals, and Mountain View defeated Uintah 5-1.
Competitive Landscape
The path to the state championship has been defined by low-seeded teams disrupting the expected order. While Park City entered the semifinals as the top seed, the Riverhawks' ability to secure a shutout victory highlights the competitive nature of the 4A division.
The tournament's progression has seen several teams struggle to maintain momentum. For example, while Ridgeline found success in their semifinal, they were unable to overcome the defensive pressure applied by Crimson Cliffs in their most recent outing.
Championship Outlook
The 4A state girls soccer championship will now feature Ridgeline and Crimson Cliffs. Both teams have demonstrated resilience through the semifinal rounds, with Ridgeline overcoming the tournament's top seed and Crimson Cliffs overcoming the Riverhawks to reach the final stage of the competition.
