For Ben Brown, soccer is a family affair.

Among his extended family, many of his cousins play soccer, two of whom were teammates at Air Academy.

Through the years, Brown’s parents supported him as he played club ball, which he credits as being a major part of getting him to where he is today: The third best soccer player in Colorado, the 66th best nationally and a state title holder.

Most notably, Brown, the Gazette Preps Boys’ Soccer Peak Performer of the Year, hit the game-winning goal from 30 yards out in a defensive slog against No. 1 seed Mullen in the 4A title game to help the Kadets win their first boys soccer championship since 2018.

Brown started playing soccer when he was 4 years old, saying he discovered a passion for the sport early on.

“I’ve always really enjoyed winning and competing, but I would say that one of the biggest drivers for continuing to play soccer is my family,” Brown said. “I have 30 cousins and I’ve always looked up to the older boys in the family that have really played and been successful.”

“It’s always been super fun and something we’ve always been able to bond over,” he added.

In his final season with Air Academy, the 6-foot-3, 175-pound senior recorded 20 goals and seven assists, both team highs.

The Kadets finished with a 16-1-2 record, propelling them into a state title match after topping Battle Mountain in an overtime thriller in the semifinals.

The state title game was scoreless, dominated by defense for the majority of the match. But in the 63rd minute, Brown took a shot he said is usually reserved for practice. The 30-yard kick sailed over the Mullen goalkeeper’s head and into the net.

Despite helping Air Academy earn its sixth boys’ soccer championship, Brown’s favorite memories occurred before the season began.

In June, the team met for a “captains practices,” Brown said, during which the entire roster — varsity, junior varsity and the C-squad — practiced as one.

This approach deepened the camaraderie among the team, Brown said.

And the coaching staff, spearheaded by coach Espen Hosoien, was a critical piece of the puzzle, according to Brown.

“They’re not only based on building your skills, but also on building your character,” he said. “It’s definitely helped me to build character, so (I could) be the person that’s not the hothead.”

Rather, he was the even-keel one on the team during tough matches. His level-headedness, and the leadership of the senior class, were critical in the overtime win against Battle Mountain.

During the Kadets’ playoff run, Brown relied on his faith and said prayers served as comfort, thanking God for the opportunities he’s had throughout his career.

But he also recognized the immense contributions from others in his life, especially his parents who paid for club soccer as he grew up and developed him into the award-winning player he is today.

“I’d really like to give thanks to everyone in my life,” he said.

Brown further credited the entire coaching staff at Air Academy, and the school as part of his — and the team’s — success.

Brown signed on with Colorado Christian University and looks forward to playing in a new setting, even if there are a degree of shaky nerves to overcome.

“It’s going to be very different,” he said. “But I think I’ll be able to get through it.”