T.J. McKendrick has helped lead Lone Peak girls soccer to a great start in 2014.
Photo by Jeff Porcaro
A host of familiar teams have once again emerged as the primary contenders for girls soccer supremacy in Utah. These clubs share a common thread. They find ways to consistently reload rosters with talented scorers and defenders to keep control of their respective regions.
If you want a sneak preview of potential state champions in October, keep an eye on these 10 Utah girls soccer teams as the season progresses.
10 Utah Girls Soccer Teams to Watch in 2014
Lone Peak (Highland)A balanced offense and a strong defense are usually recipes for major success. Lone Peak has both.
Natalie Lewis and
T.J. McKendrick lead a slew of talented offensive playmakers.
Cassidy Smith is a top notch goalkeeper who has tallied 10 career clean sheets over the past two seasons. The Knights have allowed just three goals so far in 2014.
Skyline (Salt Lake City) Could the Eagles finally get over the hump this season? Chances are good Skyline can claim its first state championship since winning the Class 5A title in 2001. The Eagles return their top three goal scorers from 2013 — led by
Holly Daugirda. And Skyline has
Hillary Weixler once again protecting the goal a year after she notched 11 shutouts.
Brighton (Salt Lake City)Nadia Gomes and Stephanie Ringwood have moved onto college soccer with BYU, but that doesn't mean the defending Class 5A champions are any less dangerous in 2014.
Rachel Powley has emerged as Brighton's top offensive weapon — accounting for 75 percent of the Bengals' scoring through six games.
Megan Turner has done well at goalkeeper, notching 2.5 shutouts in her first season starting between the pipes.
Timpanogos (Orem, Utah)The road to the Class 4A championship always seems to go through Timpanogos. The T-Wolves have reached the title game four times in the last five seasons and claimed three championships — including last season. There's no reason they can't be in the mix again in 2014.
Natalie Reynolds and
Jordyn Chung-Hoon are both capable offensive leaders and
Carly Nelson makes up for the loss of Sydney Oldroyd at goalkeeper quite well.
Davis (Kaysville)Few teams can match the dynamic offensive duo that Davis brings to the field.
Maddie Garlock and
Ireland Dunn have combined for 40 goals over the past two seasons and are helping the Darts average 4.5 goals per match in 2014. Davis is scoring nearly four more goals per game than it is allowing.
East (Salt Lake City)The Leopards seem to find a way to reload every fall. This season is no different. A potent offense led by
Nell Stevens and
Claire Thomas has averaged nearly four goals per match while helping East to a 5-0-1 start. It could be just what the team needs to have a shot at ending recent playoff struggles and claiming its first Class 4A title since 2004.
Riverton (Riverton)The Silverwolves have had to fill several holes, but that hasn't stopped them from roaring out to a 7-0-1 start.
Hailey Skolmoski is a big reason behind the early success. Skolmoski led Class 5A in scoring with 24 goals in 2013. She has not skipped a beat this fall, tallying 11 goals in seven games. It's one reason why the Silverwolves are Lone Peak's biggest threat in Region 4.
Alta (Sandy)The Hawks lost their top three scorers from 2013. Bizzy Phillips, Madie Lyons and Sydney Fitzpatrick combined for 62 goals. Top goalkeeper Juilanne Gentry is also gone after posting 11.5 shutouts last fall. Alta still has found a way to reload.
Sadie Mertlich — the co-leader in goal scoring in Class 5A — has nine goals in five games and is developing into a fantastic offensive weapon.
Bonneville (Washington Terrace)Hannah Shore is proving a worthy successor to Ellee Hall in powering the Laker offense. She has eight goals in seven games.
Bailee Wooden and
Makensie Price are also reliable scoring threats. The Lakers' renewed scoring punch could put the team in the mix for a fourth Class 4A title in seven seasons if they can navigate a tough region first.
Wasatch (Heber City)Good things are in store for the Wasps this season. Talented goalkeeper
Torri Bills anchors an improved defense that has shut out four opponents en route to a 5-1-1 start. Wastach has allowed just four goals so far this season and that type of stinginess could help the Wasps challenge for a Region 8 title in just the school's second year in Class 4A.
John Coon covers Utah high school sports for MaxPreps. You can contact him at john_coon@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter at @johncoonsports.
