SALT LAKE CITY — The postseason for high school girls soccer officially began last week, with first round state tournament games played in every classification, save for 2A.

All five state tournament’s kick off in a big way this week though, and title contenders are aplenty.

Here is a look at the state championship favorites and title contenders in each classification as the final weeks of the high school girls soccer season get underway.

6A

A new team has risen to the top of the heap among title contenders in the largest classification of girls soccer: the Pleasant Grove Vikings (10-2-2).

Early season contests against Timpanogos, Bingham, Timpview and Brighton, not to mention a 7-2-1 record in Region 4, paved the way for the Vikings to secure the No. 1 seed, the highest for the program in the lifetime of its players.

Despite Pleasant Grove’s status at the top of the rankings heading into the postseason, the year wasn’t without its challenges, though.

“The regular season was all about facing adversity,” Pleasant Grove head coach Bailey Bailey said. “We had several injuries in multiple games and practices. The team had to overcome many changes.”

As a result, no single Viking was a standout this year. Instead, five different girls scored three or more goals, led by junior CC Norman (seven goals).

More than anything else, Pleasant Grove simply proved adept at finding ways to win, a trait that could prove useful in the coming weeks.

“Because of all the challenges, the girls are ready. They are ready to keep fighting as we go into the playoffs.” — Pleasant Grove head coach Bailey Bailey

“Because of all the challenges, the girls are ready,” Bailey said. “They are ready to keep fighting as we go into the playoffs.”

While the Vikings own the top overall seed, it was the No. 2 seeded American Fork Cavemen (14-2-0) who won the Region 4 championship.

The 2017 state champions appear primed to return to title contention after falling short in the quarterfinals last season.

“We have had some ups and a few downs, but I am sure everyone has something like that going into the playoffs,” American Fork head coach Derek Dunn said. “We are healthy and excited to get this year’s postseason started.”

American Fork has been led by Addie Gardner, who scored a team-high 14 goals this year, supported by Jordyn Roth (eight goals) and AJ Stromberg (six goals).

“We have a great mix of experienced players and young players,” said Dunn. “We are ready to make a mess!”

The No. 3 seed in the tournament belongs to the Northridge Knights (13-2-1), who won their first region title since 2004.

It was defense that paved the way, led by defensive backs Makayla Halley and Hallestyn Kap, among others. 

The Knights allowed only 16 goals — 10 of which came in two games — and recorded eight shutouts. 

“This has been a really good year,” Northridge head coach Wyatt Kennah sad. “The team has been really focused and worked hard. They are eager to keep working.”

Not to be forgotten are the No. 4 seeded Syracuse Titans (13-3-0). 

“Most coaches know October is all about being hot and healthy. We are 100% healthy and we are gonna ride this hot streak that we are on.” — Syracuse head coach Taylor Allen

Back-to-back Region 1 champions in 2017 and 2018, not to mention state runners-up in 2017 and semifinalists a season ago, the Titans got off to a slow start and lost their first three region games, to Layton, Davis and Fremont.

Since then, however, Syracuse has reeled off 11 consecutive victories, including a pair of convincing wins over Northridge.

“Everyone looks at those three losses early on as an indicator of our team,” Syracuse head coach Taylor Allen said. “We were hurt at multiple positions and were incorporating a couple new freshmen. Once we got rolling, we were as dangerous as I knew we could be. Those three losses cost us a region title, so we are definitely using that as bulletin board material for the next two weeks.”

Led by the Deseret News’ reigning Ms. Soccer, Caroline Stringfellow (17 goals and 17 assists), as well as senior stalwart Ashlyn Hall (22 goals and 16 assists), the Titans are as dangerous as any team entering the postseason.

“Most coaches know October is all about being hot and healthy,” Allen said. “We are 100% healthy and we are gonna ride this hot streak that we are on.”

Other title contenders include the Region 3 champion Bingham Miners (13-3-1), the Davis Darts (11-2-3) and a pair defending state champs in Lone Peak (10-4-2) and Corner Canyon (11-6-0).

5A

The Farmington Phoenix were in unprecedented territory.

Coming off an inaugural season in 2018 in which they were a solid team, but nothing more, the Phoenix found themselves unbeaten midway through the season this year.

After a 1-0 victory over rival Viewmont in early September, Farmington was riding high.

“Our confidence right now is high,” Farmington head coach Sarah Beecher told the Deseret News at the time. “We were 7-0 before this game, now we are 8-0. I told the girls it is great to be on top, but it is even harder to stay there. We want to keep climbing.”

Climb they did and entering the state tournament, the Phoenix are the No. 1 overall seed and state title favorites.

Farmington finished the regular season as Region 5 champions with a 15-1-0 record.

“They are so talented individually and that shines in these close games. They have taken what I’ve told them, applied it, and they’ve killed it.” — Farmington head coach Sarah Beecher

Led by one of the best defenses in the state — Farmington allowed only eight goals all year, and goalkeeper Naomi Kehl had seven shutouts — the Phoenix proved particularly adept at winning close games.

Of their 15 wins, only six came by two or more goals.

“They are so talented individually and that shines in these close games,” Beecher said. “They have taken what I’ve told them, applied it, and they’ve killed it.” 

The Phoenix aren’t the only 5A team to sport a stout defense, though, 

Timpanogos (12-2-1), the tournament’s No. 2 overall seed, allowed just 16 goals this season.

That defense, coupled with an offense led by a trio of goal scorers in Lataya Brost, Kara Hartle and Sierra Pennock, makes the Timberwolves as good a bet as any to walk away with the state championship.

“I’m really proud of this team and how they pushed themselves this season to get a little better everyday,” Timpanogos head coach Natalyn Lewis said. “They are really playing as a team and coming together as we enter this playoff season.”

Timpanogos tied with Timpview (14-3-0) atop Region 7, and per usual, the T-Birds are among the top teams in 5A, as the No. 4 overall seed.

“The season was great for the team to find a rhythm. We were able to find more stability in our positioning and formation options. We are looking forward to the state tournament, taking it one game at a time.” — Springville head coach Cami Bushnell

The No. 3 seed belongs to the Region 8 champion Springville Red Devils (14-2-0), though, and for good reason.

After losing their first two games of the year, Springville reeled off 14 consecutive wins and finished unbeaten in region play.

The Red Devils’ attack finished in the top three in the classification with 75 goals scored, led by Tara Warner’s 30.

“The season was great for the team to find a rhythm,” Springville head coach Cami Bushnell said. “We were able to find more stability in our positioning and formation options. We are looking forward to the state tournament, taking it one game at a time.”

Other likely title contenders include a trio of Region 6 teams — Skyline (15-1-1), Murray (12-4-1) and Olympus (13-4-0) — led by the region champion Eagles, as well as Bonneville (13-4-0) and Maple Mountain (13-3-1).

4A

No single 4A team had a better 2019-20 regular season than the Ogden Tigers (14-2-0).

Led by the classification’s preeminent offensive attack, the Tigers were nearly unbeatable, and dropped only one game against a fellow 4A school, a 3-1 loss to Cedar Valley in early September. 

Led by a quartet of double-digit goal scorers, including Alysia Butters (23 goals), Kadrey Howell (20), Victoria Kalista (11) and Abby Beus (10), the Tigers scored 82 goals, 15 more than the next closest team.

Ogden was no less impressive on defense, either, as they allowed only 13 goals overall, the fourth-best mark in the classification, and posted nine shutouts for good measure.

Their overall excellence was rewarded, as the Tigers — Region 10 champs — are the No. 1 overall seed and title favorites entering the state tournament.

“The girls worked very hard to get the region outcome that we did. They deserve it.” — Ogden head coach Skylar Stam

“The girls worked very hard to get the region outcome that we did,” Ogden head coach Skylar Stam said. “They deserve it.”

The playoffs are an entirely different story, however, a fact the Tigers are well aware of after falling to the eventual state champions in back-to-back years.

“The postseason is a different thing,” Stam said. “The work rate and intensity have to double, at least. There are no easy games. They know that.”

So too do the Ridgeline RiverHawks (12-3-1), the tournament’s No. 2 seed. 

Ridgeline edged out Green Canyon (11-2-2) for the Region 11 championship and, backed by the second-best scoring offense (67 goals scored), appears primed to advance past the first round for the first time since entering the 4A ranks.

“We have a very competitive region with quality teams from top to bottom, so for the girls to win our region was a big accomplishment,” Ridgeline head coach Mark Tureson said. “I feel like the high competition in our region has prepared us for the games to come.”

“We have been working towards improving each week and the team has been doing that. As we move into the state playoffs I feel like this team is starting to fully realize their potential.” — Ridgeline head coach Mark Tureson

No single player has been more important to RiverHawks success than London Miller, who has scored 29 goals and assisted on 14 more, but the team has grown with her.

“We have been working towards improving each week and the team has been doing that,” Tureson said. “As we move into the state playoffs I feel like this team is starting to fully realize their potential.”

The No. 3 seed, the defending state champion Snow Canyon Warriors (12-2-2), tied with Desert Hills (13-2-1) for the Region 9 championship and headlines a group of additional title contenders, including the Wolves and the Thunder, as well as the Cedar Valley Aviators (11-5-0).

3A

With the Morgan Trojans (12-3-1) coming off a Region 13 title and more importantly back-to-back state championships, the appellation of 3A state tournament favorite should by all accounts be theirs. 

And that may in fact be the case, but it is the Manti Templars (13-1-2) who stand as the top overall seed in the state tournament.

The honor is not unwarranted, as Manti swept through Region 14 unbeaten, thanks in part to a classification-best defense that allowed just six goals all year.

Goalkeeper Katie Larsen and the Templars shut out their opponents 12 times and only once gave up more than a single goal in a contest.

It wasn’t all defense, either, as four different Templars netted 10-plus goals, led by Megan Olson (18 goals) and Brynlee Golding (15).

“We are very happy with how the regular season finished up,” Manti head coach Eleshia Steinfeldt said.

Unlike previous years, the Templars are not untested either, having played the defending 2A state champion Rowland Hall Winged Lions, as well as 3A powerhouses Judge Memorial and Morgan.  

“We had a lot of fun competing against teams we had never played before. We learned a lot from each game and we are entering state healthy and excited to compete.” — Manti head coach Eleshia Steinfeldt

“We had a lot of fun competing against teams we had never played before,” Steinfeldt said. “We learned a lot from each game and we are entering state healthy and excited to compete.”

The No. 2 overall seed, meanwhile, went to the Judge Memorial Bulldogs (12-3-0). 

Runners-up the past two seasons, Judge Memorial had nearly unmatched success this season, and outscored their 3A opposition by 56 goals — the Bulldogs beat the Templars 3-0 in August — excluding a pair of setbacks against Morgan.

“We were satisfied with how our season went, but the two losses to Morgan sting,” Judge Memorial head coach Scott Platz said. “They’re a good team and Bryan Searle is a great coach. We have great leadership with our senior group of three (Sophie Ewing, Abigayle Kendell and Madi Tartaro). They are all studs and we wouldn’t be where we are without them.”

Junior Caeli Sherman led the team in scoring, with 22 goals, and the hope remains that this is the year the Bulldogs break through.

“I’m hoping for the best,” Platz said, before he jokingly added that the team will have to overcome his 1-5 record in state title games. “I love this group of girls and we have contributors at every age/class level that have gotten us to the tournament.”

Standing in the way of a Judge Memorial breakthrough, however, are the aforementioned Trojans, the No. 3 overall seed.

“We played a tough preseason. Hopefully it will help pay off going forward into the postseason. We believe that our players are playing well, but we have several very good teams ahead of us in the near future.” — Morgan head coach Bryan Searle

Guided by Searle, who is considered by many to be the best coach in the classification, the Trojans have continued their winning ways.

Morgan allowed only four goals all season within the classification and recorded eight shutouts, thanks in part to goalkeeper Taylor Condie. Sydney Cragun led the Trojans attack, meanwhile, with 19 goals.

“We feel that our regular season went well,” Searle said. 

The Trojans also played a challenging nonregion schedule, including games against Northridge, the No. 3 overall seed in 6A, Ogden and Green Canyon, No. 1 and No. 4 seeds in 4A, respectively.

“We played a tough preseason,” Searle said. “Hopefully it will help pay off going forward into the postseason. We believe that our players are playing well, but we have several very good teams ahead of us in the near future.”

Other probable contenders include Juab (12-4-0), Region 12 champion Carbon (13-3-0), as well as Grantsville (11-5-0) and Richfield (12-4).

2A

There is a new title favorite in the state’s smallest classification — Real Salt Lake Academy.

The rise of RSL Academy is a departure from the norm, as either the Rowland Hall-St. Marks Winged Lions or the Waterford Ravens have reigned supreme in recent years.

The Winged Lions, two-time defending champions, are still very much still in the mix, but all eyes are on the Griffins entering the state tourney.

Becky Hogan’s squad went unbeaten in the classification this season, including a 1-0 victory over Rowland Hall. 

The Griffins also defeated the likes of Cedar City, Herriman and Granger, en route to a 9-1 overall record.

RSL Academy’s only loss on the season came to Westlake, a 7-0 setback. 

Take away that and RSL Academy allowed only three goals all year, none against 2A teams.

The No. 2 overall seeded Winged Lions (12-2-1) were no less impressive, though, a tradition in recent years.

“We have a system, and they (the players) believe in it.” — Rowland Hall head coach Bobby Kennedy

Rowland Hall lost only two games, one to Judge Memorial, the other to RSL Academy.

The Winged Lions are the top scoring team in the classification (107 goals), thanks in part to 29 goals by Summer Connery, and gave up a measly seven goals all year.

Additional standouts include Jordan Crockett, Kaitlyn Bates and goalkeeper Sophie Stinnett.

“We have a system, and they (the players) believe in it,” Rowland Hall head coach Bobby Kennedy told the Deseret News. “We blend in together, and, every now and then, the kids put together something like this.”

The No. 3 seed, meanwhile, are the Millard Eagles (11-3-1), 2A South champions. 

“They’re looking stronger and more experienced than last year.” — Millard head coach Carl Camp

The Eagles have made the semifinals in back-to-back seasons and, led by Audrey and Kara Camp, who each netted 16 goals, hope to do that or better this time around. 

“They’re looking stronger and more experienced than last year,” Millard head coach Carl Camp said. “We have emphasized conditioning this year and have a very athletic team. It is a good thing we did, since five of our starters will be running cross country the day before the semifinals, if we make it that far. The schedule change will be a challenge, but we have trained hard and feel up to it.”

Additional title contenders may include St. Joseph (7-5), Waterford (7-6) and Parowan (8-5-2).