The Hive Sports

by James Tate

Region 1 was well represented in last season’s 6A state tournament for girls’ soccer, with both the Davis Darts and the Syracuse Titans making it to the final four. The Darts reached the championship game, while the Titans advanced to the semifinals. Both teams are returning with strong lineups and are expected to face challenges from other schools in the region as they compete for the championship title. The Darts, as the reigning region champions, are determined to maintain their success with a solid roster.

The Titans will present a significant challenge to the Darts, having handed them their only region loss last year. Furthermore, the Weber Warriors, Farmington Phoenix, and Layton Lancers each possess the talent to potentially upset any team on any given day.

Davis Darts

Head coach: Dillon Richins

2024 overall and region record (17-4) (9-1)

The Darts are returning this season after a strong performance last year, where they advanced to the state finals and finished as runners-up with a 2-0 loss to the Lone Peak Knights. Although the team will lose some valuable players to graduation, they still have a roster filled with experience and talent.

Head Coach Dillon Richins maintained high standards for the team, despite being in his first year in the position. Now back-to-back Region 1 champions, the Darts are aiming for even greater success.

“The credit simply goes to the girl’s ability and their resilience,” Coach Richins said. “It wasn’t easy for them to transition to a new system, but they each worked individually and as a team to put together a special year. Previously, under Souli, Davis had achieved a lot of success, so I don’t think the girls ever doubted their abilities. With that being my first year with the group, I shared the same expectations. I am a big believer that high expectations enable players to reach their potential.”

While the graduation of key players means the Darts will have a different look this season, they still have a talented group returning.

“We had a solid senior class last year that helped us have the success we were able to,” Coach Richins said. “Very rarely will any player be a like-for-like replacement, so we will have to see what our roster looks like and where each girl will fit. Key returners include, but definitely are not limited to, Mckenna Couser, Sammy Maudsley, Reial Phongsavath, and Kate Willard.”

The play of graduated goalkeeper Lexi Lund, who was named to the Deseret News All-State First Team, was exceptional last season. This year, senior Kaitlyn Harris is expected to step up and be prepared for the challenge.

“Davis has been blessed with talented goalkeepers, so similarly to Lexie last year, Kaitlyn will be stepping into her first year as the varsity starter as a senior,” Coach Richins said. “She is an excellent shot blocker and will play an integral part in our success this year. We also have Lola Martineau and Ellie Stowers, who will play an important role in keeping our defense as stingy as it was last year.”

The Darts are determined not to take a step back; they focus on teamwork and have a standard of expectations that will drive them in every game as they pursue their goals.

“Their ability to play together and for each other,” Coach Richins said. “The majority of these girls have played together for a long time and know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. I wish I could give every player and every coach a shout-out!”

Key losses

Lucy Potter (Eastern Arizona College)

Brooklyn Phongsavath (Weber State University)

Cadence Packer (Weber State University)

Simone Packer (Weber State University)

Lexi Lund (First Team All-State)

Weber Warriors

Head coach: Heather Carter

2024 overall and region record (9-9) (4-6)

Sadie Fletcher

The Weber Warriors girls’ soccer team will return many key players from a successful 2024 season. Led by Standard-Examiner All-Area First Team player and senior Sadie Fletcher, the Warriors are poised to challenge for the region championship with several experienced athletes.

Fletcher, one of the state’s elite sprinters (who clocked a time of 12.1 seconds in the 100 meters), scored 18 goals in 2024 and will be pivotal to the team’s offensive strategy. Head Coach Heather Carter is excited about the talented group of attackers who will support Fletcher and keep opponents on their toes.

“I believe we have a strong set of attacking players as a whole that will support, contribute to, and aid Fletcher in our goal-scoring,” Coach Carter said. “There are many skilled players capable of scoring, too many to name. Some other strong attackers to keep an eye out for are Alyssa Boydston and Sadie Davis. 

Boydston earned Standard-Examiner All-Area Third Team honors last year, while Davis is poised to provide another scoring option for the Warriors.

“We have a strong, solid midfield return that will support both our defensive and attacking line,” Coach Carter said. “Our defensive back line will be anchored by senior Isabelle Ririe and supported by a solid junior group, including Carly Gardenhour and Zoee Kallias, both of who were solid starters last year. And, of course, we cannot forget the root of our defense, goalkeeper Kallie Wallace. Her strong presence in goal will be key in coordinating our defense and build out of the back.”

The overall team chemistry and the experience gained from last season are expected to be significant strengths for the Warriors in 2025.

“My first season as head coach was a lot of learning for myself and the girls,” Coach Carter said. “They had to learn my style of coaching, and I had to learn how the girls play and work as a team. I learned that these girls are very talented and capable of much more than their past seasons show. Figuring out how to develop them into the style and level of play I want them to play at and coaching them to believe and have confidence in themselves and their teammates was one of the biggest things both the coaches and players worked on last year.”

The Warriors are prepared for a breakout season after finishing at .500 the last two years.

“Overall, I feel there is a solid group of upperclassmen players returning with some young, very talented players to work at filling in the gaps for following years to come,” Coach Carter said. “I’m excited to see things come together as we continue working through summer training in preparation for the upcoming season. I put together a tough set of preseason games against many teams ranked in the top 10 to test our limits and get us ready for our competitive reg on play. I believe the girls are up for the challenge this year. We’re shooting for a winning season and a shot at state.”

Key losses from last season include Savannah Funk, who is heading to Northern State University, and Katelyn Poulsen, who will play basketball at Laramie County Community College.

Layton Lancers

Head Coach: Tara Ferrin  

2024 Overall and region record (10-8) (4-6)

The Layton Lancers return with an experienced and talented squad that has achieved a winning overall record for the ninth consecutive year. They started the season strong with a 7-1 record but experienced a downturn, losing their last five matches. A second-round playoff loss to Copper Hills has motivated the Lancers to push further this year in their pursuit of a region title.

Leading the team this season will be senior captain Amelia Smith, who has committed to Weber State University and is an outstanding sprinter on the track team, with a personal best of 12.40 seconds in the 100 meters. Last year, she led the team with 10 goals. Smith will be joined by Calli Holje, who has committed to the University of Montana and scored seven goals last season, as well as another track star, Anna Ward, who also scored seven goals, to strengthen the offensive lineup. Seniors Ryann Jensen and Brylee Davenport provide additional depth to the Lancers’ frontline.

“Our team’s strengths this year will be our speed up top and our ability to work through the midfield forward,” Smith said. “Looking forward to some added talent from a handful of sophomores and juniors who will help us out through the midfield and defense.”

In midfield and defense, the Lancers will feature veteran players Lizzie Tate, Hadley Rognon, Paisley Blackne, Karsyn Lindsay, and Molly Hunsaker. They will be supported by junior goalkeeper Quincy Reisbeck, who is also returning to the team.

“We are ready for a comeback, and this year is the year,” Smith said. “We’re going to make a run for it in the playoffs. Layton High has an amazing group of girls, including all 10 of our seniors, and we’re ready to make this season the best one yet.”

Coach Ferrin enters her ninth season with a winning record and has had double-digit wins every year at Layton. The Lancers will be a tough challenge for opponents this season and will be in the mix for the region title.

Key losses

Kenadee Godderidge (Boise State University)

Quincie Knudson

Syracuse Titans

Head coach: Jason Steiner

2024 overall and region record (16-4) (8-2)

Jocee Eddy

After finishing second in Region 1 in two of the last three seasons, the Syracuse Titans enter the 2025 campaign with two clear goals: claim the region title and advance beyond the state semifinals. With a seasoned roster and Head Coach Jason Steiner returning for his third year, the Titans are determined to turn past heartbreak into championship glory.

The 2024 season was one to remember. Syracuse opened with an impressive 11-1 run, highlighted by a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory over Region 1 champion Davis Darts, a match that showcased the Titans’ resilience and attacking flair. Their postseason push ended in the 6A state semifinals, where they fell 3-0 to eventual state champions Lone Peak Knights, a team that went on to secure back-to-back titles.

Now, with experience, hunger, and unfinished business driving them, the Titans are ready to take the next step.

“This will be my third year back with Syracuse, and we have improved each year, and that is entirely the expectation again this year,” Coach Steiner said. “We were very successful in many aspects last season, but fell short in two things: the region and the Semis. So, as great a season as the team had, we didn’t achieve our goals. And that has put a little fire in this team. They feel that they have some unfinished business.”

The Titans bring back Deseret News All-State First Team player Eva Christensen, Second Team Jocee Eddy, and Taylee Hughes. Hughes accumulated 15 goals and 12 assists last season, including two goals in the victory over the Darts. Eddy led the 6A class with 19 assists last year. Hughes, a senior forward and Utah Tech University commit, will team with junior forward Talia Thompson to provide an excellent goal-scoring tandem for the Titans.

“A majority of last year’s starters are back, and it will be the third year playing together for many of them,” Coach Steiner said. “We have also picked up some great additions this year, and we are hoping to get over the hump in the region and be there at the RIOT in October. But that is everyone’s goal, right? Now the pressure is on after a good year, and the saying ‘Pressure is a Privilege’ definitely applies. We get to see if we can handle it. And that is one of the challenges I have given them. We have put together a more demanding schedule than last year to make it more challenging.”

In the midfield, Eddy will lead the charge with Utah Valley University commit junior Sophie Martin and senior Indy Heap.

Senior Erin Bott returns as the goalkeeper for the Titans. The Titans will have depth in goal with the return of seniors Jaynie Barraza and Taylor Sims. Christensen will lead a defense featuring talented juniors McKenzie Hislop and Bella Thompson.

The Titans’ talent and experience will keep them in games all season and be a significant factor when the postseason comes.

Key losses

Abby Affleck (University of Utah)

Madi Shilling (Central Wyoming College)

Farmington Phoenix

Head coach: Sarah Beecher

2024 overall and region record (8-8) (5-5)

Entering her seventh season at the helm, Head Coach Sarah Beecher is determined to steer Farmington’s girls’ soccer program to new heights. After back-to-back .500 campaigns, the Phoenix are poised to break through and make a statement this fall.

The Phoenix attack is loaded with experience and versatility. Seniors Macey Call, Baille Collings, Breitlyn Oviatt, and Kam Gurney return to lead the forward line and wing play. At the same time, juniors Katie Bennett, Mo Nielson, and Oaklee Stanford bring an extra spark and edge in transition.

In the midfield, the trio of Gurney, Jaida Morris, and Carly Dunham anchors possession and pace. Expect them to control tempo and serve as the bridge between defensive solidity and attacking intent.

Xavier University commit Taytem Grant will be the cornerstone of Farmington’s back line. Her leadership and composure provide stability, while senior Madi Probst and junior Addisyn Webb join her in anchoring the defensive unit.

Sophomore goalkeeper Abby Child is expected to be the primary shot-stopper this fall, with Brooklyn Spilker and Olive Waylend also stepping into key minutes between the posts. Depth and competition in goal could prove valuable late in the season.

Farmington enters the 2025 season hungry to build on last year’s third-place finish in Region 1 and punch deeper into the postseason. The Phoenix came heartbreakingly close to advancing in the state tournament, falling in a shootout to Lehi in the second round. That loss has only sharpened the team’s focus and resolve.

With veteran leadership, a fortified defense, and an experienced midfield, Coach Beecher’s squad is primed to take the next step.

Key losses

Anndi Wright (Boston College University)

Brynlee Austin (Utah Valley University)

Caroline Rigby (North Idaho College)

photos courtesy of James Tate