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Maeser Prep's Nathan Bowler looks to dribble the ball past defenders during semifinal action versus American Heritage. May 4, 2026

Brandon Gurney, Provo Daily Herald

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Maeser Prep's Donnel Sono-Koree is taken down in the penalty box during semifinal action versus American Heritage. May 4, 2026

Brandon Gurney, Provo Daily Herald

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Maeser Prep's Noah Johnson advances the ball upfield during his team's 4-0 win over American Heritage on Monday. May 4, 2026

Brandon Gurney, Provo Daily Herald

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Maeser Prep's Nathan Bowler and American Heritage's Tal Goddard during semifinal action on Monday. May 4, 2026

Brandon Gurney, Provo Daily Herald

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Freshman Donnel Sono-Koree celebrates his second half goal scored with his brother, Denzel, during Maerser Prep's 4-0 win over American Heritage on Monday. May 4, 2026

Brandon Gurney, Provo Daily Herald

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Maeser Prep celebrates its second goal scored by super freshman Donnel Sono-Koree during Monday's semifinal match versus American Heritage. May 4, 2026

Brandon Gurney, Provo Daily Herald

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Maeser's Tyler Reedy battles for possession of the ball during semifinal action versus American Heritage. May 4, 2026

Brandon Gurney, Provo Daily Herald

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Can anyone slow down the Maeser Prep Lion Boys Soccer Team?

Not anyone since early April of last season, and certainly not rival American Heritage during 2A state semifinal action on Monday at Zions Bank Stadium, as it were. The Lions blitzed the Patriots throughout, and particularly during the second half, en route to a dominating 4-0 win which advances them to a second-straight state championship match.

“When we possess the ball we’re hard to beat,” said Maeser Prep coach Dustin Simmons. “Our midfield is the best midfield in the state, I think, at our level. Our back line is just phenomenal. I mean, they’re so good. You saw No. 18, Kale Garner … he’s the best defender in 2A. He’s so good. And so that just gives us a lot of confidence that we can get the ball and we can play out. And then when we possess and play to feet we’re hard to beat.”

Hard to beat is perhaps an understatement when considering Maeser’s resume.

Not since a 3-2 loss to St. Joseph almost a full 13 months ago have the Lions come out on the losing side of the scoreboard. This season has Simmons’ team standing at a spotless 19-0 record and on the cusp of another state championship.

As mentioned, Maeser Prep was good throughout during Monday’s match, but reached peak level during the final 40 minutes when putting three of its four goals on the board. Second half goals were booted through by Nate Bowler, Noah Johnson and super freshman Donnel Sono-Koree, whose older brother, Denzel led off the goal-scoring in the first half.

For Denzel, he was somewhat limited due to an injury incurred late during quarterfinal play with Donnel perhaps taking more of the forward lead than otherwise. Both brothers are anticipated to be running at full speed for the state championship game, which could again wreck some havoc on the opponent.

“When those two play together, it’s a scary thing,” Simmons said. “It’s scary for defenses. They’re really good.”

Throughout the game, and particularly during the second half, both brothers took center stage, utilizing their superior speed to continually pressure the Patriots with Donnel ultimately notching his 13the goal of the season with Denzel booting through his twelfth.

Fortunately for both brothers, Maeser Prep is flush with veteran senior experience to assist their play considerably, and all of it took the forefront in Monday’s win.

“For our seniors, this is the fourth year in a row that they’ve gone to the semifinals,” Simmons said. “And so they’ve got experience. Nate Bowler, our captain, who scored that fourth goal, he scored his first varsity goal ever four years ago as a freshman on that (same) goal. I still remember it. So (with) that experience and confidence … they know we’re in a cool spot to be undefeated heading into the championship and they want it. So they’re really, really locked in, and I think that makes a big difference for our team.”

It also makes a difference beating an American Heritage team which has become a natural rival through the years due to the two school’s proximity from one another on top of multiple matchups during the postseason.

“There’s some history there,” Simmons acknowledged. “We played them on this field two years ago when my son was a senior and they smoked us, 3-0, and we thought we could win it all that year. So it’s nice to be back here on kind of little bit of a revenge tour. (So) to beat them on this field again … I know a lot of these guys are gonna be sending emails to their brothers … letting them know what happened here today.”

Turns out Maeser is making a lot of things happen these days with perhaps some more history coming down the pipe when it matches up with Rowland Hall in the 2A State Championship Game.