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WORLAND - A lightning delay only delayed the inevitable as the Worland Warriors won their third consecutive 3A State boys soccer championship on May 22 at Cheyenne South High School in Cheyenne.

The Warriors (17-0) defeated 3A West rival the Powell Panthers (14-3) 1-0 in the title game. The win not only clinched the Warriors the three-peat but extended their winning streak to 46 games, clinched a second consecutive undefeated season and made Worland only the second program to three-peat in the history of 3A. (Jackson was the first to three-peat, 2014-2016.)

Worland and Powell, matching up in the championship game, was the third time this season the two battled. The two previous games were decided by a goal, the Warriors won in Powell 1-0 in extra time on March 30, and on May 14 in Worland, the Warriors won 3-2.

"It was challenging," said Warrior Jorey Anderson about facing Powell for the third time. "Every single game was a fight. The first one went to the 100th minute, and all the other games came down to the last minutes and a few plays. It's a battle, and they're a great team, you have to give them props for that."

Both teams were the top-ranked teams in 3A all season long. The Warriors held the No. 1 spot, and the Panthers were at two. Powell's only losses of the season were to Worland.

"People talk about beating them for the third time, but we only had to beat them once [Saturday]," said WHS boys soccer coach Ron Overcast. "Our mental prep has been the same for three years; we just want to be 1-0 at the end of the day. I've got a great group of kids, and they played their hearts out, I can't be prouder of them."

Worland's leading goal scorer, Cole Venable, struck in the championship game's only goal when he drew a foul in the penalty box, setting up a penalty kick. Venable calmly took the PK and put the ball in the back of the net in the 19th minute.

Two minutes into the second half, the game was paused due to lightning, and the field and stands were cleared for 30 minutes. This could have been a tricky spot for Worland; they could have been lured into a false sense of security. Instead, Worland came out of the delay and picked up right where they left off.

"We've talked about it all season, controlling the controllables and not letting the distractions get into our head. When we walked into the gym, it was the first thing I talked to them about. We have no control over the weather, and we've got to stay mentally prepared and finish the game. We had 38 minutes until a state championship," said Overcast.

That's not to say there weren't a few unsettling moments for Worland until the final second ticked off the clock. Late in the second half, Worland was called for obstruction inside the penalty box. Powell was given a free-kick just outside the goalie box, their best shot at tying the game that half. However, the Warriors defense came through and eventually cleared the ball from danger.

The Warriors defense has played at an elite level during this winning streak and championship runs. This season, Worland allowed only seven goals, a program-best. They even completed another perfect state tournament run with three straight clean sheets.

In the quarterfinals on May 20, Worland beat Rawlins 9-0, and on May 21 in the semifinals, they beat Lander 3-0.

Senior center back JT Klinghagen has been an anchor for the Warriors backline since his freshman year.

"Eighth-grade year coach [Then WMS boys soccer coach, and now assistant WHS boys soccer coach, Jesus] Davila asked me to try center back," said Klinghagen. "Then freshman year, I got in, and everything I do in practice and in the games is full speed 100 percent. It's all for my teammates, all for the keeper, all for Ron too. It's something that I feel like is in my nature.

After missing out on last season due to COVID-19, getting a season and finishing it off with another championship meant everything to Worland.

"It feels awesome," said Warrior Rudy Sanford. "During basketball, when the numbers started to spike, we weren't totally sure what the season was going to look like or if we'd get to complete it. So getting to the end and getting another one feels awesome."

"It means everything. We've worked at this since we were little, and we've worked hard to build this program up. This is a culmination of all that hard work during the offseason," said Venable.

Overcast added, "This is so nice. We've got former players here for it – Konnor [Macy] is here, Rylan [Mocko] is here, and I know this meant a lot to them. Especially the guys who had their season taken away last year. They're a part of this. The 46 wins in a row, they were a big part of that and have really set the culture of this team. They've shown the younger guys what hard work will get you.

"This year, we had tremendous senior leadership with Rudy, JT and Yahir [Rodriguez]. Those guys are tremendous leaders on and off the field. Then our juniors learned from those guys, and that's how you keep the culture going. The future is bright, and we have eight starters returning."

The Warriors scored 121 goals this season and only allowed 7 for a plus-114 goal differential. Those are numbers that likely won't be touched for some time. And for this year's seniors (Jonah Bailey, JT Klinghagen, Mack Page, Yahir Rodriguez, Dawson Rogers, Rudy Sanford, Marcelo Vazquez, Matthew Werbelow), they've had the most successful stretch of any class to date in the Warrior soccer program.

The only loss they've experienced was to Green River in Green River on April 18, 2018, during an early-season tournament. These Worland seniors have never lost to a 3A team, have three state titles to their name, a winning streak nearing 50 games, and the numbers would be even higher if it weren't for COVID.

Even for the seniors, Worland's dominance has been surreal.

"It really hasn't sunken in yet, it's a crazy thought. I think Ron said we're at 46 games in a row. That's just insane. I'm sure it will hit me soon but only losing one game in high school is crazy to think about," said Klinghagen.

Sanford added, "That's one of those memories you'll hold onto forever and ever. It's an accomplishment to say you only lost one game in high school and never lost to a 3A opponent. That's a pretty cool feat to have."

Each tournament run has been unique, with its own set of moments that will stick with Overcast. And what he'll remember most about this team is how some, outside of Worland, were writing the Warriors off. 2021 just reestablished that the Warriors won't be going away any time soon.

"This team is so much fun to be around. These guys are genuinely great friends. It's another memory – another state championship," said Overcast. "I know a lot of people wrote us off because we graduated all those guys last year, and we won't be a problem, and you know what we turned out to be a problem. As long as we continue to keep working hard, we'll keep being a problem."

After the celebration wears off, it's back to work for the Warriors. There will be big roles to fill, but the team returns a lot of starters with juniors Anderson, Gavin Schneider, Venable and Jackson Wassum and sophomores Carter Clark, Court Gonsalez, Kolter Wyman and Kade Webber.

"We've got to develop a lot of younger kids to create that depth," said Venable. "We went 13 deep this year and in previous years went 18 deep. We're going to be good next year, but we lose key positions with Yahir, Rudy and JT. We've got to fill those roles and develop players during the offseason."

Anderson added, "I agree. A lot of younger players had chances to play good minutes for us. That's going to be great, and we'll have to be ready to come in as leaders as well."