6A Playoffs
Skyridge. vs. American Fork
Based on seeding, neither American Fork nor Skyridge were expected to reach the 6A semifinals, but the region foes managed to defy expectations and earn their way anyway. Now, one of them is guaranteed a spot in the final.
The No. 8 seed Skyridge Falcons and No. 5 seed American Fork Cavemen will try and claim that spot on Tuesday, Oct. 17 at Zions Bank Stadium when they square off at 10 a.m. Skyridge has an edge in total goals scored this season with 53 goals to their credit, compared to American Fork’s 48. However, American Fork’s formidable defense has a slight edge with only 20 goals allowed compared to 29 for Skyridge.
During the regular season they split their region games, with Skyridge winning 3-1 in the first game and then American Fork turning the tables with a 5-1 triumph. They tied for second in Region 3 with identical 6-4 records.
This semifinal game promises exciting performances, since it will feature players like Rachel Boren of Skyridge, who has an impressive 16 goals this season, and American Fork’s Lucy Kesler, with her remarkable 15 goals. Skyridge is in the semifinals for the third straight year, and it will hope that experience pays off.
Layton vs. Lone Peak
Lone Peak, following a dominant season, hopes to maintain its momentum heading into the 6A semifinals against the Layton Lancers on Tuesday at Zions Bank Stadium at 12:30 p.m.
With a goal of avoiding last year’s surprising semifinal exit, the second-seeded Knights are in robust form boasting an 18-1 overall record, having scored an impressive 84 goals and conceding a scant eight. No. 6 seed Layton are on a run of its own, coming off an upset win over No. 3 seed Copper Hills in the quarterfinals. The Lancers own an 11-6 record, with 36 goals scored and 22 let in.
Back in August in the preseason, Lone Peak comfortably beat Layton in a 4-0 game, featuring a standout performance from Kate Fuller with a brace. Lone Peak’s Samantha Sellers, with 13 goals, and Kate Fuller, with 10 goals, will be vital in the upcoming match, alongside Layton’s leading scorer Jersee Clapier, who has punched in 10 goals this season.
5A Playoffs
Brighton vs. Bountiful
Brighton and Bountiful are two of the most storied girls soccer programs in state history with 10 combined state titles between them. It’s been over a decade though since either team hoisted hardware, but one of them is guaranteed to get a chance when these teams meet in the 5A semifinals this Tuesday at Zions Banks Stadium at 3 p.m.
No. 8 seed Brighton advanced to the semis by earning shutout wins over Kearns and Spanish Fork in the first two rounds, and boasts a 13-5 record this season. It has scored 55 goals this season, while allowing only 20. Conversely, No. 5 seed Bountiful owns a 14-4 record this year, with 62 goals scored 28 conceded. In the quarterfinals last week, Brighton beat Spanish Fork 2-0 thanks to goals from Paige Christensen and Sydney Johnson. This year marks their first time reaching the semifinals since 2014.
Meanwhile, Bountiful survived a thrilling quarterfinal encounter against Springville, coming out on top 7-6 in a penalty shootout after a 3-3 goalfest in regulation. These storied programs last faced each other on the field in a 2012 preseason game, with Brighton winning 3-1. Brighton last lifted the trophy in 2013 and Bountiful in 2006. One of the two will take a big step toward halting their respective droughts this week.
Maple Mountain vs. Olympus
In a surprising 5A semifinal, No. 10 Maple Mountain will face No. 6 Olympus at Zions Banks Stadium on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. It will be the first meeting between the two programs.
Maple Mountain enters the contest with a 12-6 overall record, which includes an upset victory in the quarterfinals against No. 2 Clearfield in double overtime. The team’s offensive charge is led by Mika Krommenhoek and Kesley Jewkes with an average of 31 goals scored and 24 conceded this season.
The Olympus Titans carry a strong overall record of 13-5 into the semifinal. It too found quarterfinal success under pressure, toppling No. 3 seed Wasatch in a penalty kick showdown after 100 minutes of scoreless soccer. The Titans have scored 55 goals while allowing just 22. Hope Munson is a standout player for the Titans, leading in scoring with 10 goals. Both teams fell in the quarterfinals last year, and are feeling confident after advancing a round further so far this year.
Olympus last won a state title back in 2020, while Maple Mountain’s last championship was in 2017.
4A Playoffs
Ridgeline vs. Green Canyon
The top-seeded Green Canyon Wolves are set to face No. 4 seed Ridgeline in the Class 4A semifinals on Oct. 16 at Zions Banks Stadium. Riding a decisive 2-0 victory over Crimson Cliffs in the quarterfinals, the Wolves enter this confrontation with a 17-1 overall record.
They’ve produced an impressive 50 goals this season while only conceding 10. Austin Miller and Capriel Winder, who scored in the recent 2-0 victory, are notable contributors to the Wolves’ goal tally. Meanwhile, the RiverHawks are entering the quarterfinals on a high note after their thrilling 2-1 double-overtime win against Timpanogos, earning them an overall record of 15-4.
Across the season, they’ve netted 36 goals and allowed 21. Brenli Wolford and Sydnee Zollinger, the goal-scorers in the last match, will undoubtedly play critical roles in this encounter. During the regular season, Green Canyon came out on top in both region meetings between these teams, triumphing 4-0 and 2-0, respectively. The memory of these previous victories will fuel the Wolves as they strive to assert their dominance once again.
On the other hand, Ridgeline will undoubtedly be hoping to turn the tables and carve their path toward the semifinals, going against their earlier performances against the Wolves.
Park City vs. Stansbury
No. 3 seed Park City Miners takes on No. 2 seed Stansbury in the 4A semifinals on Monday Oct. 16 at Zion Banks Stadium. The Miners enter the contest with an impressive overall record of 16-2, boasting 70 goals for with just 22 against. On the other side, Stansbury is entering with an impressive 17-2 mark, showcasing 72 goals for and only 10 against.
Park City relies heavily on its top scorers Lauren Kindt and Abby Hanton, who have accumulated 13 and eight goals respectively, with Kindt also having nine assists. For Stansbury, Gracee Alders with 27 goals and Emie Major with 12 goals and 18 assists have been their offensive powerhouses.
Park City managed to win both region meetings earlier in the season, a 4-2 triumph in the first and a hard-fought shootout victory in the second. Previously in the quarterfinals, Stansbury claimed a 2-0 victory over Mountain View, while Park City overcame an upset scare from Snow Canyon securing a 2-1 win. The semis will undoubtedly bring an exciting rematch between these two sides, with each determined to make it to the championship.
3A Playoffs
Morgan vs. Canyon View
No. 4 Morgan clashes with No. 1 Canyon View in the 3A semifinals on Thursday at Zions Bank Stadium. Canyon View owns a 17-2 record heading into the game and boasts an impressive 91 goals scored this season. Morgan, not far behind, comes to the match with an overall record of 13-4 and 96 goals scored.
The Falcons passed through the quarterfinals with a slender 1-0 victory over No. 9 Judge Memorial. The lone goal was netted by Hadlee Farrow in the first half, supplemented by Gracie Burt’s 11th shutout of the season. For their part, Morgan doused No. 5 Delta in a 7-0 victory, showcasing the scoring prowess of Lacie Poll, who racked up a third straight hat trick, coupled with another clean sheet by goalie Miya Turner.
Canyon View’s high scorer is Bethanee Vargas with 27 goals, and Morgan’s top scorer is Lacie Poll with 27 to her name. This will be the first meeting between these schools since a state tournament game in 2002, when Morgan claimed a 4-1 victory.
Juan Diego vs. Ogden
In a scenario mirroring last year’s 3A semifinals, No. 2 seed Ogden will once again clash with No. 6 seed Juan Diego on Thursday at Zions Bank Stadium. Last year, it was the Ogden Tigers who emerged successful with a 2-0 win. Ogden went on to lose in a shootout in the final, so it will be hungry for redemption.
The Ogden Tigers have been a force this season, charging into the semifinals with an impressive 15-2-0 record. The Tigers have scored a massive total of 113 goals while only allowing 12 against them. On the other side, Juan Diego Soaring Eagle holds a respectable 10-4-0 record, having netted 65 goals and conceded 33. Juan Diego’s scoring is led by junior Addison Pettit with 10 goals, but all eyes will surely be on senior Maddie Chiazzese.
During the quarterfinals, Chiazzese emerged as the hero with a crucial goal in double overtime, her fourth career goal proving to be the game-changer against No. 3 Manti. For the Ogden Tigers, Nevaeh Peregrina and Ruth Larsen carry the torch, having racked up 27 and 21 goals respectively. Peregrina also boasts 17 assists, further demonstrating her tremendous offensive impact.
2A Playoffs
St. Joseph vs. Parowan
In the early kickoff of the 2A semifinals on Thursday, the No. 5-ranked St. Joseph Jayhawks will face the top-ranked Parowan Rams at Zions Bank Stadium. The Jayhawks, fresh off a convincing 5-0 quarterfinal win over Millard, boast a strong 10-6 overall record, scoring an impressive average of over six goals per game, with a total of 98 goals this season.
St. Joseph’s firepower is led by striker Abigail Gough, who netted a significant 38 goals with 13 assists. The team’s defense remains equally intimidating, conceding 32 goals throughout the season. On the other side, as the top seed, Parowan advances into the semifinals with a strong 13-2 overall record. It scored 82 goals this season. Bella Robinson has been instrumental to Parowan’s success, netting 35 goals this season. Defensively, the Rams have only allowed 23 goals.
These teams last met in the 2018 quarterfinals, when Parowan prevailed 2-0. Both teams will look to assert their dominance, with St. Joseph seeking to return to the championship again this year after losing in the final to Rowland Hall last year.
Rowland Hall vs. Waterford
In the latest chapter in this great rivalry, the Waterford Ravens and Rowland Hall Winged Lions are set to clash in the 2A semifinals on Thursday at Zions Bank Stadium. No. 2 Waterford enters with an overall season record of 16-2, while No. 3 Rowland Hall carries a 12-3 tally.
The Ravens have shown top-notch form this season, scoring a total of 106 goals and conceding just 27. The Winged Lions, with 91 goals scored and 29 allowed, also boast a strong offensive and defensive record.
In their previous meetings this season, Waterford came out victorious on both occasions, winning 6-4 and 4-2 respectively. High-scoring matches were the norm between these sides, as the rivals produced a total of 16 goals in just two games. Both teams have key players who will likely play significant roles in the semifinals. For Rowland Hall, Paige Connery and Zakrie Smith, who respectively scored 27 and 20 goals, have been standout performers. On Waterford’s side, Grace Morris with an astonishing tally of 31 goals and Annika Marshall with 18 goals are expected to be a constant threat.
Last year’s state tournament saw the Winged Lions getting the upper hand as they won the semifinals 3-1 against Waterford.
This report was compiled with the assistance of ChatGPT.