Kayla was willing to do whatever she was asked to help the team. – Davis coach Souli Phongsavath
KAYSVILLE — When teams are able to maintain the level of dominance that the Davis High girls soccer team has in recent years (the Darts have won three consecutive state titles and are currently in the midst of a 44-game unbeaten streak), it can be difficult to appreciate the contributions of an individual player.
That is not the case, however, for Deseret News’ 2016 Ms. Soccer award recipient, Mikayla Colohan. Kayla, as she is affectionately known, has been nothing if not brilliant during this spectacular Darts run, especially in her senior season.
In 20 games this year, Colohan racked up 28 goals, a number that surpassed her goal totals from the previous three seasons combined, and recorded 35 assists. Her play was instrumental in Davis’ undefeated season, a campaign that ended in the Darts 2-1 victory over the Fremont Silver Wolves.
“As I have said before, she is our point guard,” Davis coach Souli Phongsavath said. “Kayla was willing to do whatever she was asked to help the team. Last year we had Kayla mostly set up attacks; we had some great finishers on our team, but this year we asked her to attack more and she responded.”
One area of Colohan’s game that saw significant growth was her ability to take, and make, shots from distance. According to Phongsavath, Colohan, who is quite technical and has a great first touch, worked incredibly hard to become proficient at shots taken from outside the box, as evidenced by her success. In the playoffs alone, Colohan netted five goals, at least three of which came from well outside the 18, including her go-ahead goal in the title game.
“Her goal in the championship game was huge,” Phongsavath said. “I mean, it won the game for us.”
Phongsavath’s tutelage of Colohan began when she was 9 years old; he was the coach of her club team, and their relationship has only grown with time.
“He has taught me since the beginning,” Colohan said. “He has kinda made me the player that I am. Everything that I know I have learned from him.
“It’s funny," Colohan added. "I have always called him stepdad because he has had such a big influence in my life. He has helped me with things that had nothing to do with soccer. He has helped shaped who I am, both on and off the field.”
For his part, Phongsavath saw something in Colohan from the very beginning.
“I knew even at that age (9) that she was special," he said. "She did things that kids normally can’t do.”
In addition to her talent, Colohan stood apart from her peers due to her many goals and aspirations, and her tendency to accomplish them.
“I have always had goals," Colohan said. "Before I committed (she is set to play for BYU) my number one goal was to play at the next level (college). Now my goals are to succeed in college, both with my team and individually, and to play for the national team. Those (goals) motivate me to keep getting better and better.”
When asked about her high school career, and what playing soccer for Davis High meant to her, Colohan revealed exactly the type of person and teammate she is.
“I chose to play soccer because I loved it, and I couldn’t have made a better choice," she said. "Nothing is better than winning championships, I have won three, while having my best friends at my side. Nothing is better than succeeding with your best friends. As far as high school goes, winning (Ms. Soccer), it is just icing on the cake.”
EMAIL: twood@bonneville.com