It’s a tough spot for anyone to be in, and perhaps particularly for Wasatch Boys Soccer Coach Lance Cosper, who isn’t accustomed to walking away from America First Field without a 5A championship trophy.

Wasatch lost out on a hard-fought 3-2 decision to Alta in the 5A state soccer championship match on Thursday, preventing the Wasps from capturing a third-straight championship. For Cosper, he spent his time after the match mindful to console all of his players and offer words of encouragement despite the massive disappointment.

“This one hurts. It’s tough,” Cosper said. “I’ve been here five times now, and this is the first time we’ve lost, so it’s not an easy thing. It hurts.”

Wasatch opened up the scoring with Lance Cosper’s son, Jayden Cosper, scoring a goal when presented a wide-open net to give his team an early lead in the 26th minute. Alta responded about eight minutes later with Josh Glazier placing a shot in the back of the net to tie things at 1-1 heading into the half.

The Wasps started off the second half with a lot of pressure, culminating with Cole Simpson heading in a corner kick off the foot of Ace Downey to recapture the lead at 2-1 with just over 35 minutes remaining.

But a goal from Tanner Kunz in the 57th minute and then another from Jack McAllister in the 66th gave Alta a 3-2 lead, which proved to be the final.

“Alta had two really good shots and then we didn’t capitalize on enough of our chances,” Lance Cosper said. “Jack is a great player for them, and he really knows how to get it in from long range, so credit goes to him. He’s a great player and Alta is a great team. They deserved to win today.”

Indeed Wasatch had more than several chances late, playing with a man advantage after one of Alta’s players was issued a red card in the 69th minute. But time and again the Wasps weren’t able to connect despite giving it their all until the final second ticked off the clock.

As Wasatch gathered together after receiving its second-place trophy, senior Jace Kirkham offered his teammates some consolation, stating that what matters most is what they do off the field regardless of the results that come on it. It’s a sentiment Lance Cosper echoed.

“It’s a group of great kids who support and love one another off the field, and that’s what’s important,” Lance Cosper said. “It’s tough to focus on that now, but this has been an incredible group of seniors. They’ve been friends forever from a what was the small town we’re all a part of. I couldn’t be prouder of each of them and they’ll all be missed.”

Even with so many seniors graduating off this year’s team, Lance Cosper has established a top program at Wasatch with many waiting in the wings to build on the program’s tremendous recent success.

“We’ll be back here,” Lance Cosper said. “We’ll be back perhaps even next year.”