The 2020 high school boys soccer season got underway last week for teams in Class 2A. To prepare fans for the upcoming season, the Deseret News has put together capsules for every team in 2A. Every coach was invited to participate and submit information.
The region rankings are based on coaches preseason projections.
There are five new boys soccer coaches in 2A this year: Dave Neil (APA West Valley), Danjuma Alcala (ICS), Marcos Uboldi (Utah Military Hillfield), Lorenzo Rivera (Wendover), Andrew Brown (Freedom Prep), Oli Brittain (RSL Academy), Dale Josse (Millard) and Dustin Johnson (North Sevier).
Here are the 2A teams and players to watch this upcoming season.
2A North
1. Layton Christian Eagles
Head coach: Chris Tatro
2019 record: 18-0-1 (first in Region 16 with a 9-0-1 record)
2019 postseason: Beat Rowland Hall in 2A championship
Additional info not provided
2. Rowland Hall Winged Lions
Head coach: Scott Langone
2019 record: 15-3-0 (second in Region 17 with a 11-1-0 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Layton Christian in 2A championship
Returning contributors:
- Jason Nkoy, M, Sr.
- Ben Kanter, GK, Sr.
- Jesus Lamas, M, Jr.
- Alex Okawa, D, Jr.
- Jude Whitten, M, Jr.
Coach comment: “After being state finalists the last two years, we have a young team that is hoping to stay healthy and continue that strong push for a state title.”
3. Waterford Ravens
Head coach: George Shirley
2019 record: 15-2-1 (first in Region 17 with a 11-1-0 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Millard in 2A quarterfinals
Returning contributors:
- Morgan Lopez, GK
- Niklas Nilsson, D
- Samuel Becker, M
- Miles Elggren, M
- Connor Smith, F
Coach comment: “We are looking forward to a great season with many new faces and varying degrees of skill in our student-athletes. The goal is to foster a love for the beautiful game and have a ton of fun doing it this season. We plan to be competitive in every match and realize there is more and more talent around in the 2A regions each year.”
4. APA West Valley Eagles
Head coach: Dave Neil (1st year)
2019 record: 12-6-0 (third in Region 17 with a 8-4-0 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Beaver in 2A quarterfinals
Returning contributors:
- Mario Mejia, GK, Sr.
- Andrew Franco, M, Sr.
- Luis Mendoza, M, Sr.
- Josue Flores, M, Jr.
- Juan Medina, F, Jr.
Coach comment: “American Prep West Valley has always been a strong and competitive team. This year we have a huge returning senior class as well many varsity junior and sophomore players. We are a high energy team that plays with aggression, passion and strong captain leadership. Our coaching staff has made some changes with the elevation of Coach Neil from assistant to head varsity coach and the addition of Coach Ence as assistant varsity coach. He will be an invaluable asset to this organization. With the balance of continuity and change, we expect to have another competitive year on the pitch.”
5. St. Joseph Jayhawks
Head coach: Clay Parry
2019 record: 10-3-1 (second in Region 16 with a 8-1-1 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Rowland Hall in 2A quarterfinals
Additional info not provided
6. Intermountain Christian Lions
Head coach: Danjuma Alcala
2019 record: 4-6-1 (third in Region 16 with a 4-5-1 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Waterford in 2A first round
Additional info not provided
7. North Summit Braves
Head coach: Teresa Davis
2019 record: 3-10-2 (fourth in Region 16 with a 3-5-2 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to APA West Valley in 2A first round
Additional info not provided
8. Wendover Wildcats
Head coach: Lorenzo Rivera
2019 record: 3-10-1 (fifth in Region 16 with a 3-6-1 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Beaver in 2A first round
Additional info not provided
9. Utah Military Hillfield T-Birds
Head coach: Marcos Uboldi
2019 record: 0-11-0 (sixth in Region 16 with a 0-10-0 record)
2019 postseason: Missed playoffs
Additional info not provided
2A Central
1. Real Salt Lake Academy
Head coach: Oli Brittain (1st year)
2019 record: First season
2019 postseason: N/A
Additional info not provided
2. Wasatch Academy Tigers
Head coach: Ryan Anderson (2nd year)
2019 record: 4-8-1 (fifth in Region 17 with a 4-7-1 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Diamond Ranch in 2A first round
Returning contributors:
- Hoang Nguyen, D, Sr.
- Max Yu, D, Sr.
- Asaki Matsumato, M, Jr.
- David Cotton, M, Jr.
- Bimmer Boonyasai, F, Jr.
Coach comment: “We are looking forward to a great season ahead. We have a very talented team full of a solid mix of returning players and new players from around the world! We also have a deep bench this year which should help us be strong in our region.”
3. Merit Academy Knights
Head coach: Hootie Hennessey (3rd year)
2019 record: 2-13-0 (sixth in Region 17 with a 2-10-0 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Rowland Hall in 2A first round
Returning contributors:
- Nicholas Escobedo, D, Sr.
- David Lopez, M, Jr.
- Sandro Diaz, D, Jr.
- Jessie Monsalvo, M, So.
- Dylan Bunker, F, Sr.
4. American Heritage Patriots
Head coach: Peter Knecht (1st year)
2019 record: first season
2019 postseason: N/A
Additional info not provided
5. Freedom Prep Eagles
Head coach: Andrew Brown (1st year)
2019 record: first season
2019 postseason: N/A
Additional info not provided
6. Draper APA Eagles
Head coach: Michael Shaughnessy
2019 record: 3-13-0 (seventh in Region 17 with a 1-11-0 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Millard in 2A first round
Additional info not provided
7. Telos Titans
Head coach: Stephanie Willis
2019 record: 7-7-1 (fourth in Region 17 with a 4-7-1 record)
2019 postseason: Missed playoffs
Additional info not provided
8. Utah Military Camp Williams Marauders
Head coach: TBD
2019 record: First season
2019 postseason: N/A
Additional info not provided
South
1. Millard Eagles
Head coach: Dale Josse
2019 record: 11-4-0 (first in Region 18 with a 8-0-0 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Layton Christian in 2A semifinals
Additional info not provided
2. Beaver Beavers
Head coach: Pancho Chavez
2019 record: 11-4-0 (second in Region 18 with a 6-2-0 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Rowland Hall in 2A semifinals
Additional info not provided
3. Diamond Ranch D-Backs
Head coach: Alex Garcia
2019 record: 4-7-0 (third in Region 18 with a 3-5-0 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Layton Christian in 2A quarterfinals
Additional info not provided
4. Gunnison Bulldogs
Head coach: Chase Christenson
2019 record: 3-9-0 (fourth in Region 18 with a 2-6-0 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to St. Joseph in 2A first round
Additional info not provided
5. Parowan Rams
Head coach: Tom Carlisle (2nd year)
2019 record: 1-12-0 (fifth in Region 18 with a 1-7-0 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Layton Christian in 2A first round
Returning contributors:
- Kelly Mangum, F
- Kaden Gale, F
- Adam Edwards, M
- Angus Bulloch, D
Coach comment: “After my first season coaching, we are looking like we will have a substantial improvement over last year. We only graduated four players last season and have a large number of both returning and new players which should give us the skill base and opportunity to have more success on the field this year.”
6. North Sevier Wolves
Head coach: Dustin Johnson
2019 record: First season
2019 postseason: N/A
Additional info not provided