Twenty-four teams, 12 in each division, have qualified for the 2017 girls high school playoffs that begin on Tuesday. Park City leads the way in Division I while Olympus claimed the No. 1 seed in Division II.
Division I
Park City is the team with a target on its back, having outscored Utah opponents this season 207-42. The Miners have just two losses on the season: a 15-4 defeat to No. 1 ranked team in the West, Torrey Pines (California) and a 23-12 loss to Hockaday (TX). The Miners are hoping to become the third team in history to win 4 straight state titles. Woods Cross had five in a row between 1998-2002 and Jordan had four straight in 2004-2007. On top of that, the Miners have been to the last 5 state championship games, losing in 2012 to Bingham and Skyline in 2013.
The dominating play by Park City comes from a stout defense and a spread offense. Six Miners have 20 or more goals with Lois Garlow leading the way with 33. Garlow also leads the state in assists with 45. Ellie Faulk dominates the draw circle with 75 draw controls. Courtney Kaufman is a rock in goal for the Miners, registering 47 saves and a 56.63 save percentage. Lauren Pederson has 10 caused turnovers for the Miners. Park City will face the winner of the Bingham v. Viewmont game on Friday.
No. 2 Herriman enters the playoffs on a six-game winning streak and a single on the loss on the season, an 11-10 heartbreaker to rival Riverton. The Mustangs have a fearsome attack in Logann Eldredge (46G, 11A), Maya Lightfoot (45G, 9A) and Aleska Allen (43G, 15A). Lone Peak is the No. 3 seed with losses to Park City and Herriman. The Knights are led by Skye Rust (37G, 18A) and London Mohowski (27G, 13A). No. 4 American Fork rounds out the teams with first round byes. American Fork attacker Anesa Ernst (52G, 31A) leads the state in goals while teammate Portia Card (41G, 42A) is second in the state in assists.
The first round begins Wednesday with seeds 5-12 squaring off for a chance at a quarterfinal birth. The top 4 seeds have a first round bye and will take on the first round winners on Friday. The Division I semifinals are on May 17 at American Fork High School. The Division I champion will be crowned on May 20 at Alta High School.
Division II
The Olympus Titans will hope to sweep the field in the Division II playoffs and earn its first state title. No. 2 Weber, No. 3 Skyline and No. 4 Davis will look to play spoiler as they seek to be left standing on championship day.
The Titans are led by Alissa Johnson (40G, 8A) and Maclaine Ward (19G). McKell Brown (34G, 2A), Jordan Gundersen (31G, 2A) and Sophia Primm (26G, 26G) will look to lead Weber past the first round for the first time in school history. Olivia Heiner (32G, 19A) and Beatrice Bridge (24G, 3A) lead the Eagles. The Darts are led by Aimee Bowen (22G, 6A) and Naomi Hunsaker (21G, 3A).
The first round begins Tuesday with four great match-ups that will put the winners through to the quarterfinals on Thursday. The Division II semifinals are on May 16 at Judge Memorial High School. Alta will host the Division II championship on May 20.
Schedule
Division I - First Round & Quarterfinals
No. 9 Bingham/No. 8 Viewmont v. No. 1 Park City No. 10 Juan Diego/No. 7 Brighton v. No. 2 Herriman No. 11 Corner Canyon/No. 6 Riverton v. No. 3 Lone Peak No. 12 Alta/No. 5 Copper Hills v. No. 4 American Fork
Division II - First Round & Quarterfinals
No. 9 Lehi/No. 8 Jordan v. No. 1 Olympus No. 10 Roy/No. 7 Waterford v. No. 2 Weber No. 11 Timpview/No. 6 Woods Cross v. No. 3 Skyline No. 12 Pleasant Grove/No. 5 Judge v. No. 4 Davis
Tim Haslam is the former Editor in Chief of Utah Lacrosse News, a local website dedicated to the sport of lacrosse and is currently the SID for the University of Utah Men's Lacrosse team.