MESA — Standing 5-foot-4 and giving every ounce of his 120-pound frame to the cause, Ben Sundby wouldn’t be denied his chance to celebrate a championship, netting the go-ahead score in the 74th minute to record a hat trick and give Snowflake a stunning 4-3 victory over Chino Valley on Saturday night.

“It was a crazy day. I’ve been dreaming about this for years. To score three in a state final, no words can describe,” said Sundby, who cried for much of the trophy presentation.

It is the first state boys soccer state title in program history for the Lobos.

“Watching Ben [Sundby], the entire time, he’s the smallest guy in the field but he has the biggest heart. He’ll never give up,” Snowflake head coach Kegan Kay said. “People underestimate him and his ability, and he’s been one of our top guys.”

Chino Valley head coach Todd Carey tipped his cap to the senior’s legendary performance.

“He plays the midfield really well. We’re trying to deny No. 4 (Ayden Willis) up top, trying to deny him the ball and it opened up other things for other players on the field, and he (Sundby) took advantage. He’s a hustler, he did really well,” Carey said.

HOW THEY SCORED

Sundby opened the fall state boys soccer championship match at Westwood High School in Mesa with a goal in the 5th minute, but Chino Valley’s Jackson Bishop tied things up at 1-1 in the 18th minute.

Bishop’s reaction after his score drew a few boos from a boisterous Snowflake crowd after he appeared to hold his forefinger to his lips as if to “shoosh” the crowd.

Sundby quickly answered with his second goal on a penalty kick. Chino Valley was called for a handball in the box in the 24th minute and Cougars goalkeeper Ian Benson dove to his left while Sundby’s ball sailed just to his right to make it 2-1.

Connor Willis got in on the fun for Snowflake (15-1-3, 7-0-2 East), booting a ball that his the top of the goal post and bounced directly down, crossing the line for a score to make it 3-1 Lobos in the 28th minute.

Chino Valley (13-3-1, 4-0-1 Central), having won eight straight up until Saturday, not to mention the previous two state championships, wasn’t going down without a fight.

In the 47th minute, Gilbert Avila cut Snowflake’s lead to one with a goal, then Lobos’ senior Gavin Hensley was given a yellow card in the 69th minute as it appeared he took out Chris Estrada in the box.

Estrada followed it up with a penalty kick score of his own, just avoiding the outstretched hands of Snowflake goalkeeper Colben Bryant to tie the match, 3-3.

Enter Saturday’s hero Sundby, who wouldn’t be denied in the 74th minute on the go-ahead goal and celebrated by sprinting to centerfield as he was mobbed by his teammates, sending Lobos' fans in a frenzy.

REFLECTIONS

Sundby said beating the champs made their own title chase even sweeter.

“Chino is an amazing team, they’ve dominated for years. It’s so good to be able to play them, our run here wasn’t easy. I love these boys. This was an amazing game, they played a tough game, but I never doubted our boys,” Sundby said.

Carey tipped his cap.

“It was a great game, we battled back nicely. We made a few mistakes and hats off to Snowflake, they capitalized on our mistakes. They did really well, they outhustled and play a hell of a game,” Carey said.

And Kay praised his team.

“The boys, they have so much heart. They worked so hard in the offseason, and throughout the season, they showed up. They wanted this. I told them that, ‘I’ll help you get it as long as you put in the work,’ and they put in the work,” Kay said, adding that his goalkeeper was outstanding, despite the three Cougar goals.

“He got cut his freshman year. He came back sophomore year, and he had been working on goalie all through sophomore year. He became our starting goalie and he’s never looked back,” Kay said. “He’s been our captain; he’s been our anchor for us. He just holds his own. One on one, he’s the best keeper in the state. He’ll win.”

Brian M. Bergner Jr. has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports for more than 20 years. Follow him on Twitter @AzPreps365Brian. Have a story idea? Email Brian at bbergner@azpreps365.com.