Heading into the Class 5A state boys soccer tournament, there may have been no clear-cut favorite. But once all was said and done, there was no doubt the Alta Hawks were the top team. 

Alta claimed the 5A championship with a 3-2 victory over defending champion Wasatch on May 22 at America First Field in Sandy. Alta finished the season with a glossy 18-2, also tying for the Region 6 title with a 10-2 league record. Alta also claimed its 10th state championship in program history. 

“It feels amazing to win the championship,” head coach Mackenize Hyer said. “These seniors had the goal to be champions from the end of last season. They did the work and had amazing attitudes. The players’ reaction was so fun! The last 20 minutes of the game were wild. Everyone stayed calm and just kept doing whatever it took.”

In a hard-fought game, Alta and Wasatch played to a 1-1 tie after one half. Each team added a goal in the first 24 minutes of the second half. That’s when Alta’s Jack McAllister put the ball in the back of the net on a free kick to give the Hawks a 3-2 lead, one they wouldn’t relinquish. It was McAllister’s 12th goal of the season and undoubtedly the biggest one. Teammates Josh Glazier and Tanner Kunz added goals, with Glazier and Beckham Butler assisting on goals. 

The game against Wasatch was no cakewalk, and just getting to the final round required everything the Alta players had. 

“We played four tough teams in the playoffs, and our region was stacked,” Hyer said. “Playing against such great teams helped us so much. We were able to learn through
adversity and learn to always fight. We went down twice in the final, but the team never faltered. We came back and tied it twice,
always believing we would overcome.”

The championship victory and the semifinals win over Bountiful (4-0 on May 19) were significant milestones for Hyer, who just finished her eighth season with the boys team. Those two victories were Nos. 100 and 101 as head coach for the Alta boys. She is grateful for the boys’ efforts in getting those two wins. 

“This one included my 100th (semis) and 101st (final) wins with the boys,” Hyer said. “It was super special because the boys were fighting for that for me. These seniors were a part of 61 of those 101 wins; that is incredible! It shows the belief they have in the program, for each other and for me. This team competed hard every day, whether at practice or a game. It’s hard to describe how good it feels to see them get exactly what they worked for and deserve.”

In the semifinals, all four of Alta’s goals came after halftime. Boston Wright and Chase Radford combined in the goal for the shutout. Meanwhile, Kunz scored twice, and Butler and Brady Christensen added goals. Butler, Glazier and Tyler Jordan contributed assists. The Hawks also defeated Maple Mountain 3-1 in the quarterfinals on May 16. Glazier, Zach Lovell and Max Wimmer scored in that contest, while Butler and Aston Glass had assists. The state tournament run for Alta began May 13 with a 3-0 home win over region rival Brighton. Wimmer had two goals in that second-round matchup, with Butler adding the other goal. Christensen had an assist, and Radford recorded a shutout. 

Hyer couldn’t say enough about her players. She recognized several standout performers for their contributions in the postseason and throughout the year in leading the Hawks to another championship, her third as head coach of the program. Alta also won
titles under her direction in 2018 and 2022. 

“All of the players stood out,” she said. “[Radford] in goal was outstanding. Ty Dutcher and [Lovell] in our defense and Max Wimmer up front (captains) led the team with passion and heart. [Kunz] led the team with 16 goals and is an absolute machine. [Butler] was right behind him with 15 goals. [McAllister] is deadly on a set piece, and his game-winner in the final made it to No. 4 on ESPN ‘SportsCenter.’ Dawson Barney, [Glass], [Christensen], [Josh Glazier], Conner Rasmussen, [Wright] and [Jordan] were all major reasons we won. Maybe that’s the takeaway: they were truly a team.”Hyer said her players battled the typical obstacles that all teams face: heat, cold, injuries and more. But the Hawks didn’t let any of these challenges bother them. As for the next version of the Alta boys soccer team, Hyer is optimistic about what is in store for 2026. The team loses some key players, but the Hawks also have some talent returning next year. 

“The 2025 seniors were great leaders and have shown the underclassmen what it will take to win,” she said. “Hopefully, the younger guys were paying attention and have caught the ‘bug’ of being an Alta soccer player and wanting to be a champion. We lose a lot in our seniors, but the juniors were a huge part of the team’s success and have been given a gift in leadership lessons
that hopefully they can carry into the 2026 season.”

As head coach of the boys team, Hyer has now compiled a record of 101-28. She is also the girls head coach and has a
65-56 mark with them through seven seasons.
Winning this championship is special for her, the other coaches, the players and the community. 

“I played soccer for Alta, all my coaching staff played soccer for Alta, my siblings both played soccer at Alta, my daughter played soccer at Alta,” she said. “Continuing the legacy of Alta soccer is a part of me. I am so proud that I get to work with this amazing program and outstanding humans. One of the best parts is the alumni coming back and supporting the current team. We are a family, and it’s hard to put into words what Alta soccer means to me. Winning the 10th title for Alta boys soccer is a dream come true.” λ