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Led by a Jake Basinet perfect hat trick, the San Diego Surf 07 boys made history as the second team to win consecutive ECNL boys national titles. The 2023 ECNL Player of the Year scored with 15 seconds remaining to send the game into overtime, then bagged two more in a 4-1 defeat of a fearless Las Vegas Heat squad.

The game began with the Heat setting the tempo, bringing the energy required to topple the defending champions. Both teams traded half-chances through the first half, with neither finding the back of the net.

That would not be the story of the second half as the Heat struck in the 49th minute with Joseph Gonzalez at the right place at the right time to convert a rebound after a miraculous Gonzalo Gurrola save stopped an own goal.

There was a nagging feeling that goal could be the winner in a game where neither team established control. But the Surf pushed, coming close on a Diego Valles long-range shot striking the post in the 66th minute. Of course, that increased desire to equalize opened transition opportunities for a Heat squad that generated several golden opportunities to double their lead.

As with games at the highest level, a failure to capitalize on chances can be costly, and that proved true in the dying moments. With 30 seconds remaining, Las Vegas Heat striker Chase Stewart missed a 1-on-1 opportunity after doing well to generate the look. The ensuing goal kick saw the Surf drive down the pitch, resulting in Adam Ambrus-Aikelin playing a gem of a through ball to find a brilliant Basinet run and finish for a last-gasp equalizer.

It was a legendary clutch play displaying why Basinet is ranked among the best in the country and how the Surf returned to the national final despite losing a few key players to MLS Next academies at the start of the season.

That heartbreaking equalizer was all the Surf needed to shift momentum as five minutes into overtime, Basinet struck again, this time on an impressive leap and header to follow a Nicolas Sanchez rocket volley that Gabriel Flores Luna did well to save off the crossbar.

The ECNL legend would then add a third, capitalizing on a desperate Heat push for an equalizer. Basinet won possession in his defensive half, then dribbled past the goalkeeper at the halfway line before passing into an empty net. The finish also gave him a perfect hat trick, one header, and a goal with each foot.

Ambrus-Aikelin would add another just before the final whistle to push the scoreline to 4-1 and confirm this Surf team will join the Tulsa SC squad from 2018/19 as the only two to defend an ECNL boys national title.

Player of the Match: Jake Basinet, San Diego Surf

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