by James Tate
Head Coach: Tara Ferrin
2025 Record: Overall (8-10) Region (2-6)
The Layton Lancers enter the 2026 season with renewed confidence, fueled by one of last year’s defining moments: a dramatic penalty‑kick victory over defending 6A champion Lone Peak. That upset didn’t just shock the soccer landscape; it proved Layton can rise to the moment, giving the program a spark as it returns to the grind of a new season.
Head Coach Tara Ferrin enters her 10th season at the helm, a tenure marked by consistency and achievement. Last year was bittersweet: while the Lancers’ win totals dipped and her streak of nine consecutive winning seasons came to an end, Coach Ferrin did eclipse the 100‑win plateau in her coaching career. This milestone underscores her impact on the program and its sustained competitiveness.
Coach Ferrin continues to build her program around effort, accountability, and daily improvement. She’s established a culture where growth is the standard, and resilience is a core expectation. That identity is anchored by senior goalkeeper Quincy Reisbeck, one of the premier shot‑stoppers in Utah high school soccer. A Region 1 Honorable Mention selection, Reisbeck brings quick reflexes, strong command of the box, and the kind of vocal leadership that keeps Layton competitive in every match.
With Reisbeck as the foundation, Layton aims to develop consistency across the pitch. Senior Elerie Davis, a versatile all‑around contributor and Region 5 Second Team All‑Region honoree, returns as another key piece. Her ability to impact both sides of the ball gives Layton a stabilizing presence as the Lancers look to turn flashes of brilliance, like the Lone Peak win, into sustained success against one of the deepest regions in the state.
Quincy Reisbeck
Team outlook
Layton’s defensive shape should take a noticeable step forward with seniors Shaylee Pace and Cami Martin, along with junior Lexi Burton, all expected to play key roles in stabilizing the back line. Their collective experience gives the Lancers a reliable foundation with Reisbeck, and their ability to read pressure, win challenges, and stay organized will be central to Layton’s improvement in Region 1 play.
Offensively, Layton showed promise last season, finishing with 11 goals in region action, second only to Syracuse’s 20. That production provides a solid baseline, and the Lancers return a group capable of elevating those numbers.
Seniors Hana Lee, Alice Steed, and Addi Hughes, along with juniors Macie Peterson, Sophia Barnard, and Sadie Hawes, give Layton a mix of pace on the wings and toughness through the middle. Their ability to stretch defenses, create chances in transition, and finish opportunities will determine how far Layton climbs in the standings.
Together, the returning defensive core and an experienced attacking unit position the Lancers to be far more balanced in 2026. If Ferrin’s group continues to embrace her mantra of effort and improvement, Layton has the pieces to be one of Region 1’s most improved squads, and potentially one of its most dangerous if momentum builds early.
Elerie Davis
Key Departures
Layton will also need to account for several impactful losses to graduation. Millie Smith, now competing at Weber State University, was a steady presence in the midfield and a reliable connector in Layton’s possession game. Calli Holje, who has moved on to Washington State University, brought athleticism and versatility that will be difficult to replace. Mya Williamson is now at Westminster University after a great career as a midfielder at Layton.
The departures of Anna Ward and Ryann Jensen further thin Layton’s experienced core, removing two players who contributed meaningful minutes and leadership throughout their careers.
These losses create opportunities for the returning group to step into larger roles, and they raise the importance of Layton’s senior leadership and junior development as the Lancers reshape their identity for 2026.
photos courtesy of James Tate
The Hive Sports 
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