by James Tate

Region 1 enters the 2026 girls soccer season as one of the deepest, most competitive leagues in all of Utah high school sports. The defending 6A state champion Syracuse Titans return as the team everyone is chasing, but the gap between the top programs has never been thinner. The Davis Darts, the 2024 region champions, bring back a battle‑tested core and remain one of the most disciplined, all-around sound programs in the state. The Farmington Phoenix, who finished as the Max Preps No. 3-ranked team in 6A in 2025, have the talent and experience to make another run at both the regional and state levels.

And the challengers don’t stop there. The Weber Warriors proved last season that they can beat anyone, knocking off Davis twice and handing Syracuse one of its rare losses. Their physicality and confidence make them a legitimate contender. The Layton Lancers also showed their ceiling with a signature win over eventual state runner‑up Lone Peak, signaling that they’re far more dangerous than their record suggested.

Top to bottom, Region 1 is loaded with returning stars, elite midfielders, proven goal scorers, and coaches who know how to build winning cultures. Every match will matter, and every point will be earned. The road to the 6A state tournament may run through Syracuse, but the rest of the region is closing in fast.

Syracuse Titans

2025: 6A State Champions | 2025 Region 1 Champions

Head Coach: Jason Steiner

2025 Record: Overall (19-3) Region (7-1)

The Syracuse Titans enter 2026 carrying both the confidence of a champion and the weight of expectation. Under Head Coach Jason Steiner, Syracuse has become one of the most disciplined and consistent programs in Utah high school soccer. Even with final tryouts still ahead, the Titans already appear poised to defend their state and Region 1 titles thanks to a deep returning core and a system built on possession, toughness, and continuity.

At the center of the Titans’ identity is senior Jocee Eddy, a 2025 Deseret News First Team All‑State midfielder and Utah Tech University commit who led 6A in assists last season. Eddy is the engine of Syracuse’s possession‑based attack, calm on the ball, precise in distribution, and unmatched in her ability to control tempo. Her vision and decision‑making elevate everyone around her, making her one of the most influential players in the state.

Carlie Hobbs

She is joined in the midfield by senior Sophie Martin, a Second Team All‑Region selection and Utah Valley University commit whose toughness, leadership, and two‑way reliability give Syracuse one of the strongest midfield duos in the state. Senior Kimber McLean also looks poised to be a meaningful factor this season, bringing athleticism, awareness, and steady distribution to a midfield group already built on control and consistency.

Defensive Stability and Attacking Threats

Defensively, Syracuse is anchored by senior Carlie Hobbs, a 2025 Deseret News Second‑Team All‑State selection and Southern Utah University commit whose vocal command and physical presence stabilize the back line. She is joined by senior McKenzie Hislop, one of the most athletic returning defenders in Region 1. Hislop’s speed, instincts, and understanding of the game allow her to cover space, win difficult matchups, and disrupt opposing attacks with confidence.

Up top, senior Talia Thompson returns as a fearless, high‑speed attacking threat. A 2025 Deseret News All‑State Honorable Mention selection, Thompson stretches defenses, pressures back lines, and creates scoring chances with her speed and relentlessness. Her ability to break open matches makes her one of Syracuse’s most dangerous returning weapons.

Talia Thompson

Several rising players are positioned to step into larger roles as the Titans reload. Junior goalkeeper Whitney Cella is one of the most important names to watch, bringing strong instincts and shot‑stopping ability as she competes to fill the critical void left by Bott.

Senior Paislee Marion adds experience and versatility, the type of player who steadies a lineup in tight matches. Junior Abby Rizley brings athleticism and upside, giving Syracuse another emerging piece capable of carving out a meaningful role in 2026. Also returning for the Titans is sophomore midfielder Taylor Henley, who established herself as one of the up-and-coming players for the next few years.

Seniors Bella Thompson and Abby Edwards are experienced members of the program who will provide depth and be prepared when the team needs them.

Key departures

Syracuse does graduate several cornerstone players from last year’s championship roster, departures that will shape the early identity of the 2026 team. Among the most impactful losses are Taylee Hughes, now at Utah Tech University; Eva Christensen, who continues her career at Westminster University; Rilynn Bassett, now playing for Salt Lake Community College; and Indy Heap, who graduated.

The Titans also lose their 2025 6A Playoff MVP, goalkeeper Erin Bott, whose postseason heroics were central to the championship run. Her graduation leaves the most significant vacancy in the lineup and the biggest question entering the new season.

The biggest storyline heading into the season remains the search for a new starting keeper following Bott’s graduation. If Syracuse finds stability at that position, every other piece is already in place for another championship push. The Titans aren’t just defending champions; they’re the standard. And early signs suggest they’re ready to defend it.

photos courtesy of James Tate