Sandy • It took a freshman to do what the Waterford soccer team hadn't done in five straight games against St. Joseph: win.

Grace Sponaugle, a 5-foot-10 defender, was the hero for the Ravens, leaping up for Jamie Duke's corner in the 31st minute and launching a header past the Jayhawks defense for a 1-0 lead. And it turned out to be the only goal Waterford needed to break its losing streak against St. Joseph and win its third state title in four years Saturday at Rio Tinto Stadium.

"Grace did so good — I bow down to her," Waterford keeper Jeannie Woller said. "Everyone on this team wanted to show how much we had improved against St. Joseph. We conditioned so hard, we trained so hard. This is the best feeling I've ever had."

The Ravens hadn't even scored a goal this year against St. Joseph, the team that beat them for the 2A title last year in a shootout. But after reviewing film, Waterford coach Tim Dolbin elected to play a balanced set instead of the defensive game plans the team had tried before against the Jayhawks.

"We made the determination that we could play them straight up," Dolbin said. "Our games were a lot closer this year against them, and we thought we could really make a run at it."

For a team that had piled up losses against St. Joseph, the Ravens appeared confident and aggressive throughout the first half. Sponaugle's goal was the only one that went in, but shots were bouncing around as Jayhawk keeper Breanne DeMar rushed all over her own goalbox to stop Waterford's relentless attack.

The set piece was designed for Sponaugle to be the one to take the header, and as Duke's kick floated toward her, she knew it was her moment.

"Most of my goals have come that way," she said. "I just put my head on it and hoped it would go in."

Even at halftime, the Ravens were mobbing Sponaugle as if they had already won, and perhaps that contributed to the team's flat start in the second half.

St. Joseph's attack hit almost every part of Waterford's goal — except the net. Ivee Barton led the second-half spurt, and Jane Porter, Kate Weil and Issy Leo all had strong runs to Woller. But between Woller's tending in the net and a bit of luck, the lead held.

And the Jayhawks needed a bit of luck themselves to keep the game within a goal.

St. Joseph was playing without senior midfielder Joanna Matyjasak, a key element that helped Waterford win the battle in the middle of the field. She was injured in Friday's semifinal win over Manti, but although coach Alex Salvo lamented her loss, he acknowledged the Ravens' play was ultimately what won the game.

It was the third time these teams have tangled for the 2A title, and it's hard to see anyone else playing next year.

"I've done this long enough to see how things swing back and forth," Dolbin said. "We lost five straight to them, but fortunately the pendulum swung our way today."

kgoon@sltrib.com

Twitter: @kylegoon —

Highlights

R Waterford wins its third state title in four years against St. Joseph after losing five straight to the Jayhawks.

• Freshman defender Grace Sponaugle comes up with the winning header in the 31st minute.

• Utah State-bound goalkeeper Jeannie Woller preserves the shutout.