10 Utah boys soccer teams to watch in spring 2015

Which teams will emerge as champions in Utah boys soccer this spring? Through the first month of the season, many familiar contenders have arisen to challenge for the top spots in Class 5A, Class 4A, Class 3A and Class 2A.

These are 10 teams to keep an eye on from the four classifications leading up to state championship matches at Rio Tinto Stadium in May.


1. Riverton
The defending Class 5A champions look strong once again. Riverton returns Brett Smith, the team's scoring leader last spring with 12 goals, and Parker Seegmiller, who tallied 12 shutouts to lead Class 5A a year ago. Smith and Seegmiller both rank in the top five in Class 5A in 2015 as well. The Silverwolves opened the season with six straight wins and are 8-1 overall. Micah Hammond has made an impact early, scoring six goals in eight games to surpass his 2014 total by two goals.

2. Alta (Sandy)
Youth and inexperience have not kept the Hawks from soaring. Alta has opened the season with nine straight wins behind an explosive offense and stifling defense. The Hawks shut out seven straight teams during that stretch and have allowed just three goals this spring. Daniel Tree and Mitch Fisher lead a potent scoring attack – combining for 15 goals to account for more than 50 percent of Alta's offense.

3. Lone Peak (Highland)
Riverton may not be the best team in its own region this season. The Knights have looked virtually unstoppable in rolling to a 7-0-1 start. Defense is one reason behind the success. Lone Peak has allowed just four goals in eight games and has not yielded more than a single goal in any contest so far.

4. Provo
No other Class 4A team has looked as formidable as the Bulldogs early in the season. Provo is 7-0-2 through nine games while boasting an explosive offense that has netted 28 goals and an equally tough defense. Tyler Gordon leads Class 4A in scoring with 10 goals. Jonathan Ruvacabla, his teammate, is second with nine goals. Jorge Vargas leads a defense that has allowed just five goals – tied for second fewest in Class 4A.

5. Maple Mountain (Spanish Fork)
The Golden Eagles possess a balanced offense and a stingy defense – making them a dangerous team for any opponent to face. Maple Mountain has given up four goals – the fewest in Class 4A – while starting 5-1-3. Ten different players have scored for the Golden Eagles in those nine games, led by six goals from Ian Stonehocker.

6. Dixie (St. George)
It's a safe bet that the Flyers will be a favorite to capture their third Class 3A title in four seasons next month. Dixie's only losses have come to undefeated Class 5A powerhouses Alta and Lone Peak. The Flyers are stout on defense, shutting out six opponents and allowing more than one goal just once all season en route to a 7-2-3 record so far. 

7. Murray
The Spartans have posted a 6-1 start behind one of the most consistent offenses in Class 4A. Murray has two or more goals in all but one game this spring, with 10 different players finding the net. Defense is also a strong point with senior goalkeeper Tanner Critchfield back to lead the way.

8. Layton
The Lancers have inched closer to a Class 5A title over the last couple of seasons. Could this be the year Layton breaks through? A balanced and potent offense has served the Lancers well in a 5-1 start. They are averaging 2.5 goals per contest and have gotten multiple goals from six different players this spring.

9. Juan Diego Catholic (Draper)
The Soaring Eagles could be Dixie's toughest competition in Class 3A this spring. Juan Diego has a winning record against Class 5A and 4A teams and has outscored its Class 3A foes 16-1 in three region games so far. Ruben Castillo and Andre Alves have formed a nice one-two punch thus far, combining for 11 goals to power the Soaring Eagles to a 7-2 start.

10. Waterford (Sandy)
The Ravens have not lost to an in-state opponent since mid-April last season. Waterford has won 15 straight games over other Class 2A teams and the streak doesn't look like it will end soon. Sean Keough and Jack Wilburn have combined for 15 goals in boosting the Ravens to a 7-3 start (all three losses came at an early season tournament in Tennessee).

John Coon covers Utah high school sports for MaxPreps. You can reach him at john_coon@hotmail.com and follow him on Twitter at @johncoonsports