3A Quarterfinals
No. 9 Morgan at No. 1 Ogden
No. 9 Morgan travels to face No. 1 Ogden on Friday in the 3A quarterfinals, continuing a postseason rivalry that culminated in last year’s championship game.
The Trojans claimed the 2023 3A state title with a 2-1 victory over Ogden, ending a pattern of postseason disappointments. Morgan had previously lost to the Tigers in the postseason in 2021, 2022 and 2023, with the 2021 and 2023 meetings coming in championship games.
The programs have followed different trajectories this season. Ogden (14-2-0) has emerged as the top team in 3A, winning Region 12 with an unblemished 8-0-0 record while outscoring region opponents 56-4. Morgan (5-11-0) has posted a 3-5-0 mark in region play.
Ogden has controlled the season series, defeating Morgan 8-0 on Sept. 4 and 4-0 on Sept. 23, showcasing the Tigers’ offensive dominance.
The Trojans earned their quarterfinal spot with a 6-0 victory over No. 8 Delta in the first round, while top-seeded Ogden received a first-round bye.
Ogden’s potent attack is spearheaded by junior Elle Weston (35 goals, five assists). Complementing Weston are Megan Beus (11 goals, seven assists) and Seren Gee (seven goals, eight assists), giving the Tigers a multifaceted offense.
Defensively, Ogden has conceded just 14 goals all season, less than one per match.
Morgan features a balanced offensive approach led by Kapree Charlton (six goals, three assists), Kendall Peterson (five goals) and Samantha Moses (5 goals, 1 assist).
In goal, the Trojans have split duties between Bailey Andersen and Eve Sandoval, who have combined for 2 shutouts this season.
The winner advances to face either No. 4 Grantsville or No. 5 Canyon View in the semifinals.
No. 5 Canyon View at No. 4 Grantsville
No. 5 Canyon View travels to face No. 4 Grantsville in Friday’s 3A quarterfinals, setting up a rematch of an early-season contest and pitting two programs with vastly different postseason histories against each other.
The Falcons (11-6-0) and Cowboys (11-6-0) already met once this season on Aug. 8, with Canyon View claiming a 2-1 victory on Grantsville’s home field. That early result gives the Falcons confidence heading into Friday’s win-or-go-home showdown.
While Canyon View reached the semifinals as recently as 2023, Grantsville is seeking its first-ever semifinal appearance in program history, adding significant stakes to this quarterfinal matchup.
Both teams advanced to the quarterfinals with dominant second-round performances. Grantsville overwhelmed No. 13 Ben Lomond 8-0, while Canyon View edged No. 12 Juab 1-0 in a tighter contest.
The Cowboys have displayed explosive offensive capabilities this season, scoring 58 goals while allowing 56. Their attack is spearheaded by junior Kamry Allen, who has tallied 28 goals and 14 assists, establishing herself among 3A’s most prolific scorers. She receives ample support from senior Lindsey Wangsgard (17 goals, 13 assists) and sophomore Lindsey Orton (11 goals, 11 assists).
Canyon View counters with a more balanced offensive approach. The Falcons’ attack features co-leading scorers Erin Hallows and Madison Swann (nine goals each). Hallows has added eight assists, serving as the primary distributor for a squad that has netted 36 goals while conceding 32 this season.
Defensively, Canyon View has been more consistent, with goalkeeper Tess Bailey recording five shutouts. Grantsville goalkeeper Lindee Ussing has posted two clean sheets this season.
The Falcons finished atop Region 14 with a 7-0-0 record, while Grantsville took second in Region 12 behind top-ranked Ogden with a 6-2-0 mark.
The winner advances to face either No. 1 Ogden or No. 9 Morgan in the semifinals.
No. 10 Logan at No. 2 Carbon
No. 10 Logan travels to face No. 2 Carbon on Friday in the 3A quarterfinals, marking the first meeting between these programs since 2008.
The Dinos (16-2-0) and Grizzlies (3-10-0) enter the matchup with dramatically different records but similar recent momentum. Carbon dominated No. 15 Providence Hall 12-0 in the second round, while Logan pulled off an upset over No. 7 Union with a 1-0 victory to advance.
When these teams last met 16 years ago in the 2008 3A playoffs, Logan claimed a 6-0 victory in the quarterfinals. This time, the Dinos enter as the clear favorite with one of 3A’s most prolific offenses.
Carbon has been nearly unstoppable offensively, scoring 109 goals while conceding just 12 this season. The attack is spearheaded by junior Malia Smith, who has tallied an incredible 48 goals with six assists. Her sister Naomi Smith has contributed 17 goals and five assists, while the trio of Blythe Bradford, Bailey Johnson, and Chrissy Jones have each added 11 goals.
Logan has struggled to find consistent scoring, netting just 13 goals while allowing 40 this season. The Grizzlies’ attack has been balanced but limited, led by Alexa Gonzalez, Ada Schultz and Sky Vann.
Defensively, Carbon has been formidable behind goalkeeper Madi Barlow, who has recorded nine shutouts. Logan goalkeeper Langley White has posted one clean sheet this season.
The Dinos captured the Region 13 title with a perfect 8-0-0 record, while Logan finished fourth in Region 12 at 2-6-0, making their postseason run all the more surprising.
Despite their regular season struggles, the Grizzlies have found new life in the playoffs. Their upset of Union demonstrated they shouldn’t be underestimated despite entering as the underdog against the high-powered Dinos.
The winner advances to face either No. 3 Manti or No. 6 Richfield in the semifinals.
No. 6 Richfield at No. 3 Manti
No. 6 Richfield travels to No. 3 Manti on Friday for a 3A quarterfinal matchup that features a rematch from earlier this season when the Templars dominated the Wildcats 4-0 on Aug. 26.
Both programs enter the quarterfinals following strong first-round performances. Manti (12-4-0) overwhelmed No. 14 Emery 8-0, while Richfield (14-5-0) dispatched No. 11 North Sanpete 2-0 to advance.
The Templars have been one of 3A’s most prolific scoring teams this season, netting 71 goals while allowing just 18. Their high-powered offense is led by junior Taylie Mickelsen (23 goals, 13 assists), who ranks among the classification’s elite scorers. She receives significant support from McKinzee Chidester (13 goals, seven assists) and the duo of Madelyn Bridges and Chloe Olson (11 goals each).
Richfield counters with a balanced attack of its own. The Wildcats have scored 66 goals this season while conceding just 22. Their offense features Hannah Mortensen (11 goals), Claire Hulet (10 goals) and Tara Ivie (eight goals) leading a deep group of scoring threats.
Defensively, both teams have been strong. Manti goalkeeper Averie Jo Robbins has recorded nine shutouts this season, while Richfield’s Zeze Lafaele has matched that total with nine clean sheets of her own.
The teams have followed similar paths this season, with Manti finishing second in Region 13 behind Carbon with a 6-2-0 mark, while Richfield took second in Region 14 behind Canyon View at 5-3-0.
Beyond their August meeting, these programs are familiar foes. When they met in the regular season, Manti controlled the action at home and kept Richfield off the scoreboard, a performance the Templars will look to replicate on Friday.
The winner advances to face either No. 2 Carbon or No. 10 Logan in the semifinals.
2A Quarterfinals
No. 8 Beaver at No. 1 Waterford
No. 8 Beaver faces a daunting challenge Saturday as it travels to take on overwhelming favorite No. 1 Waterford in the 2A quarterfinals, a rematch of last year’s lopsided playoff meeting.
The Ravens (15-1-0) dominated Beaver 9-1 in the 2024 quarterfinals and enter this matchup having outscored opponents by a staggering 110-11 margin this season. Waterford advanced to the quarterfinals with a convincing 9-0 victory over No. 16 North Summit, while Beaver (13-5-0) earned its spot with a 4-2 win against No. 9 Draper APA.
Waterford’s high-powered attack is led by senior Berklee Hasebi (25 goals, seven assists) and junior Milana Massinople (23 goals, 16 assists), forming one of 2A’s most lethal offensive duos. Whitney Spanos (18 goals, 10 assists) and Lexee Hasebi (12 goals, nine assists) provide additional firepower to an offense averaging nearly seven goals per match.
Beaver counters with a one-woman scoring machine in Ruby Lurth, whose 45 goals account for more than half of the Beavers’ offensive production this season. While Lurth has been prolific, Beaver’s next highest scorers are Caprie McNeill and KaDee Murdock with five goals each.
Defensively, Waterford has been nearly impenetrable with goalkeepers Jessica Miller and Clara Mansfield combining for 11 shutouts this season. Beaver’s defensive unit, anchored by goalkeepers Chloe Marshall, Jade Stolworthy, and Britlee Bastian, has been more vulnerable, allowing 44 goals.
History doesn’t favor the Beavers in this matchup. Beyond last year’s quarterfinal result, Waterford enters Saturday’s contest as the clear favorite, having dominated virtually every opponent this season while Beaver has played in several close contests.
The winner advances to face either No. 4 Maeser Prep or No. 5 Rowland Hall in the semifinals.
No. 5 Rowland Hall at No. 4 Maeser Prep
No. 5 Rowland Hall and No. 4 Maeser Prep continue their competitive rivalry Saturday when the Winged Lions visit the Lions in the 2A quarterfinals, the third meeting this season between these evenly matched programs.
The teams split their regular season encounters, with Rowland Hall prevailing in a penalty shootout (4-3) after a 1-1 draw on Aug. 19, followed by Maeser Prep’s convincing 3-0 home victory on Oct. 7. Last year the teams split the season series as well.
Both teams posted strong second-round performances to reach the quarterfinals. Maeser Prep (13-6-0) dominated No. 13 South Sevier 5-0, while Rowland Hall (10-6-0) dispatched No. 12 San Juan 2-0.
The Lions’ attack features the dangerous duo of seniors Cami Simmons (19 goals, six assists) and Caitlyn Herbert (18 goals, five assists), who have combined for more than a third of Maeser’s 104 goals this season. Junior Tess Jorgensen has been the primary facilitator with 12 goals and a team-leading 15 assists.
Rowland Hall counters with a balanced offensive approach. The Winged Lions are led by sophomore Peyton Beck (eight goals, one assist) and junior AJ Chicos (seven goals, two assists). Their defense-first approach has yielded 58 goals while conceding just 23 this season.
Last year’s postseason saw both teams reach the quarterfinals, with Maeser Prep falling to St. Joseph 3-2 and Rowland Hall advancing to the semifinals before losing to eventual runner-up Waterford.
The winner advances to face either No. 1 Waterford or No. 8 Beaver in the semifinals.
No. 7 Grand at No. 2 St. Joseph
Sofia Evans has put together a remarkable 52-goal season, and the St. Joseph striker’s scoring prowess will be tested when the No. 2 Jayhawks host No. 7 Grand in Saturday’s 2A quarterfinals.
Evans, who also leads her team with 16 assists, will face a Grand squad featuring junior Gemma Phillips, who enters with 37 goals and 15 assists of her own.
The Jayhawks (11-4-0) advanced by defeating No. 15 Enterprise 8-0, while the Red Devils (14-4-0) shut out No. 10 South Summit 2-0 to secure their spot in the quarterfinals.
These programs haven’t met since 2016, when Grand defeated St. Joseph 5-0 in a second-round playoff matchup.
St. Joseph features additional offensive threats beyond Evans. Bond Ari has contributed eight goals and 10 assists, while Ashley Fergus has added seven goals. Defensively, goalkeeper Addison Doebler has recorded 11 shutouts this season.
Grand counters with a balanced attack to complement Phillips. The Red Devils feature Hannah Fisher and Ella Munger with 13 goals each, while their defensive unit has been particularly strong, conceding just 15 goals all season.
The teams took different paths through region play. Grand posted a 9-2-0 mark in 2A South region play, while St. Joseph compiled a strong record in the 2A North region against teams like Waterford and American Heritage.
The Jayhawks have overwhelmed many opponents with their offensive firepower, scoring 85 goals while allowing 28. Grand has been equally impressive with 77 goals scored while conceding only 15, highlighting their defensive discipline.
Saturday’s winner advances to face either No. 3 American Heritage or No. 6 ALA in the semifinals.
No. 6 ALA at No. 3 American Heritage
No. 6 American Leadership Academy gets another shot at No. 3 American Heritage on Saturday when the Eagles visit the defending 2A state champion Patriots in a quarterfinal rematch of their October meeting.
When these teams met just two weeks ago on Oct. 2, American Heritage dominated the second half for a 6-1 victory. The Eagles will be hoping to flip that script in the postseason, where both teams advanced with shutout victories in the second round.
American Heritage (10-7-0) rolled past No. 14 Utah Military Hillfield 8-0, while ALA (13-6-0) edged No. 11 Millard 1-0 to set up this quarterfinal showdown.
The Patriots enter as the defending 2A state champions, having defeated Waterford 3-0 in last year’s title match. Despite losing to Waterford 8-1 in the regular season this year, American Heritage remains dangerous in the postseason with its balanced attack and championship pedigree.
Senior Isabelle Steele leads the Patriots with 13 goals and 10 assists, while the duo of Mikelle Arnson and Jules Gardner have contributed 11 goals each. Olivia Knecht has been the primary playmaker with 13 assists to complement her nine goals.
ALA counters with junior Brooke Downing, who paces the Eagles with 12 goals and 10 assists. The Eagles feature a balanced scoring approach with Havynn Anderson, Elizabeth Hawkins, Ashley Ward, and Harley Wilson contributing seven goals each.
The Patriots finished with a 7-1-0 mark in 2A North region play, with their only region loss coming against top-seeded Waterford. The Eagles posted a 5-4-0 region record against the same competition.
The winner advances to face either No. 2 St. Joseph or No. 7 Grand in the semifinals.
This report was compiled with the assistance of ChatGPT, and based on the stats reported to the Deseret News database throughout the season.