Manti boys’ soccer stuns North Sanpete in 3A playoff opener
Photo by Greg Knight.
MT. PLEASANT—Despite dropping their May 1 second-round 3A playoff game to Ogden, 7-0, the Manti Templars ended the season after a 4-0 regular-season win over Juab on April 21 and a first-round playoff win over North Sanpete in Mt. Pleasant.
The finish against the Hawks came late, and it came all at once.
No. 9 Manti erased a one-goal deficit in the final five minutes to stun No. 8 North Sanpete, 2-1, in the first round of the 3A state soccer playoffs.
James Dettinger and Tyler Steinfeldt scored during the decisive stretch, and goalkeeper Rogelio Jimenez held firm during a sustained second-half push as the Templars advanced to the second round.
North Sanpete dictated much of the match, controlling possession and putting seven shots on goal. But the Hawks could not break through against Jimenez when it mattered most. The senior played all 80 minutes, allowing one goal while preserving the late lead.
Steinfeldt, a sophomore, sparked Manti’s attack. He scored the equalizer and assisted on the go-ahead goal, finishing with a match-high three points. Dettinger, a senior, delivered the winner, set up by freshman Keaton Dettinger.
North Sanpete’s lone goal came from senior Rafael Contreras, who also recorded an assist to lead the Hawks with two points. Tayden Dyches, Haus Jones, Samuel Yorgason, Colin Farley, Dallin Heftel and Emmett Spencer each registered a shot on goal, but the opportunities rarely translated into clean chances inside the penalty area.
Defensively, the Hawks applied constant pressure, totaling 39 steals. Jones led the effort with 12, followed by Yorgason with 11. Heftel and junior Cristian Tapia added four each, and North Sanpete earned all four corner kicks in the match.
The Templars ended the 2026 season with a 7-12 record, including a 4-4 region mark.