MaxPreps 2013 Soccer Early Contenders: Viewmont girls

Emalee Tate came back home, and she orchestrated a state title within a year.

Looks like Viewmont (Bountiful, Utah) has a great reason to make sure she stays home.

The head coach took her Vikings all the way to the UHSAA title last season in her first campaign at the helm, and grabbed the No. 20 national ranking from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. It was certainly a dream season at the school north of Salt Lake City, and that success is why the Vikings are one of 10 girls soccer teams to be named a national title Early Contender presented by Dick's Sporting Goods and adidas.

See all the 2013 Fall Soccer Early Contenders



Viewmont is back this season with a returning first team all-state performer (Abbie Flandro) included in a group of 12 seniors. That should more than help offset the loss of eight players to graduation, and possibly get Viewmont a good shot at its fifth state title in school history.

"This year's team will have some holes to fill in the starting lineup with the departure of those eight seniors," said Tate, a former University of Utah player who is a Viewmont alumna (nee Rogers). "We return an outstanding class of 12 seniors that will be looked to provide leadership and continue the traditions of our program."

Those traditions are good ones, as Viewmont is regarded as one of the state's best performers. Looking to uphold that prestige will be Flandro, Bailee Hammond and Karrie Pead (a junior).

Last season culminated with a double overtime triumph over Alta, and the semifinal was also a tight one, a 2-1 win over Davis in double overtime. Adding to the fun in that one, Davis is Viewmont's natural rival. Realignment will pit Viewmont and Davis in the same region this season, and that is one aspect of why Tate is excited for the move.

"We are excited and look forward to a new season and a new beginning. We are anxious to defend our 5A state title in 2013 and feel that our difficult preseason schedule and moving back to Region 1 will help with this endeavor," Tate said. 

The big-game experience is sure to pay off and the leadership should be there. All that's left is to keep playing at a high level, something that has been accomplished thus far.



See our special Viewmont soccer photo gallery

Local look: "The greatest advantage the Vikings had last season was experience. They had played in the title match each of the two years prior, which helped the team and head coach Emalee Tate know what to expect and how to prepare to play at Rio Tinto Stadium. While Viewmont lost some of its main contributors from a year ago, it also returns many of them for another experienced roster this season."
- Sarah Thomas, Deseret News (@SarahDNews)
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State classification: UHSAA 5A

Enrollment: 1,500 (approx.)

Athletic director: Jeff Emery

2012 finish: 19-1, UHSAA 5A champion (Ranked No. 20 in NSCAA poll and No. 57 in the MaxPreps Computer Rankings)

Head coach: Emalee Tate (nee Rogers)



Years at school: 2

Career record: 29-7 (19-1 at Viewmont)

Team achievements: State finalist 2010-12, Region 2 champion 2011-12, 2012 UHSAA 5A champion. State champion in 1998 and 1994 as well. Four total runner-up finishes in school history.

Notable facts about school: In 2011, Newsweek listed Viewmont in the top 5 percent of all American high schools in the nation.
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Key player losses:

GK Ashley Earnshaw (First team all-state)

D Ella Johnson (First team all-state)

F Heidi Lorscheider (First team all-state)



MF Abby Holbrook (Second team all-state)

Key returners:

Sr. D Montana Tanner

Sr. D Jana Wall

Sr. D Kaitlin Palmer

Sr. M Abbie Flandro (First team all-state)



Jr. F McKenna Kimber

Jr. F Karrie Pead

Rising contributors:

Sr. M Bailee Hammond

Sr. GK Haley Johnson

Soph. F Ellee Layton



Soph. F Brookelle Tripp
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Toughest game: The Vikings have moved to Region 1 and that will bring matchups with Davis and Brighton on the road. Davis happens to be a natural rival from the same district and won the Region 1 title last year, while Brighton was second in Region 3.

Question marks: How can the Vikings find a way to replace their leading scorer from last season? And will the transition to a new goalkeeper go smoothly?

National look: Utah placed eight teams in the Top 100 in the MaxPreps Computer Rankings, showing depth for a state that is not huge in population when compared with others. But only Viewmont cracked the NSCAA rankings.

In summary: "With an exciting and challenging schedule to be played this season, the return of several significant contributors and a roster full of young talent, we expect this season to be another year full of excitement and promise for the Vikings."
- Head coach Emalee Tate
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