Utah Falls to Denver, MCLA Teams Show Well, Region 4 and 3 Preseason Previews
Plus, live lacrosse from Logan to St. George this weekend!
It was another great of college lacrosse for Utah teams. We recapped all the action and previewed what is ahead this week. Fans from Logan to St. George will be able to see live, college lacrosse this weekend! It all starts on Thursday with the BYU men’s team hosting Texas at Provo High School.
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College
Utah Falls to Denver in Defensive Slugfest
It was a busy week for Utah college teams with the highlight being the Utah v. Denver game on Saturday at Rice-Eccles stadium. It was a beautiful afternoon and the play on the field was a sight to see. Utah jumped out to an early two goal lead then the teams traded goals until the fourth quarter. No team led by more than 2 goals at any point in the game. Utah held a two goal lead in the middle of the third quarter but was unable to score in the fourth quarter due to the stellar goalie play from Denver goalie Grayson Manning who finished with 20 saves including a close range stop with just seconds left in the game to preserve the win.
Cade Faulkner had 3 goals for Utah while Ryan Stines finished with 2. Tyler Kloeckl went 12 for 17 from the faceoff X. Read the full recap here. Utah will head to Merrimack to face the Warriors on Saturday at 10:00 am MT.
UVU/BYU Dominate in Arizona, Utah Club Slips Past Utah Tech, Goes 1-1 in LA, USU goes 1-2 in Colorado
At the MCLA level, No. 1 UVU and No. 2 BYU went to Arizona to take on familiar foes. Both teams went 2-0 on the weekend after beating Arizona State and Grand Canyon.
Utah Valley beat Grand Canyon on Thursday, 23-13. Porter Searle was the leader in the Grand Canyon game scoring 3 goals and notching 3 assists. Jackson Rehrer and Camden Oswald each had 2 goals and 3 assists for the Wolverines. On Saturday, UVU beat Arizona State 24-6.
BYU beat Arizona State on Thursday, 15-11, in the Cougars season opener. Gavin Taylor had 7 goals and 1 assists to lead BYU. Mason Quick (2 goals, 2 assists) and Hutton Murphy (3 goals, 1 assist) each had 4 goals for the Cougars. Easton Wilkey had 13 saves. On Saturday, BYU beat Grand Canyon, 24-11. Quick finished with 10 goals for the Cougars. Cade Kirschner had goals and 2 assists.
The Utah Club team had a three game in three day weekend starting on Friday against Utah Tech. The Utes edged out the Trailblazers, 14-13. Eli Greenway, Quad Vanderhoven, Jace Jorgenson and Kale Van Lierop each had 3 points for Utah Tech. Carter McLaughlin, the freshman faceoff specialist for Utah Tech, went 15 of 23. The Utah Club team then headed to Los Angeles to take on Cal Poly on Saturday at UCLA. The Utes fell, 14-6. On Sunday, Utah lost ot Simon Fraser, 14-7.
Utah State went to Colorado for three games in three days and left with a 1-2 record. The Aggies dropped games to Cal State San Marcos and St. Thomas then picked up a win against MSU Denver on Sunday, 15-10.
I was also featured as the Guest Picker for the mcla.us weekend preview. The games have come and gone but you can read the article here.
Coming Up
Mens
Fans from St. George to Logan will have a chance to see live action this week. Texas coming to town to take on BYU on Thursday and UVU on Saturday is the highlight. Westminster heads to Florida for a two-game weekend while SUU hosts the Denver Club team, Utah Tech hosts Grand Canyon and Utah State hosts Montana State in a key RMLC D-II matchup. Utah is at Merrimack on Saturday.
Thursday, Feb 19
4:00pm - Texas @ BYU at Provo High School - Streaming on kslsports.com/watch
Friday, Feb 20
7:00pm - Denver Club @ Southern Utah
Saturday, Feb 21
10:00am - Utah @ Merrimack
10:00am - Westminster @ Palm Beach Atlantic
11:00am - Grand Canyon @ Utah Tech
3:00pm - Montana State @ Utah State
3:00pm - Texas @ Utah Valley at Wasatch High School
Sunday, Feb 22
10:00am - Westminster @ Lynn
Womens
Westminster kicks off its regular season against Missouri Western State in Grand Junction, Colorado this Friday. BYU, UVU and Utah will head to Tempe, Arizona for the Cactus Classic, hosted by Arizona State. Southern Utah is hosting the Winter Cup which will feature SUU, Air Force, Montana State and Utah Tech.
Friday, Feb 20
11:00am - Westminster v. Missouri Western State in Grand Junction, CO
7:20pm - Utah Valley v. Florida
7:20pm - Georgia v. Utah
7:20pm - BYU v. Oregon State
Saturday, Feb 21
8:00am - Georgia v. BYU
9:00am - Air Force @ Southern Utah
10:15am - CSU San Marcos v. Utah
10:15am - Utah Valley v. Oregon State
Noon - Utah Tech v. Montana State at SUU
12:30pm - Grand Canyon v. BYU
2:45pm - Utah v. Florida
2:45pm - Utah Valley v. Michigan State
3:00pm - Montana State @ Southern Utah
6:00pm - Utah Tech v. Air Force
Sunday, Feb 22
Noon - Utah Tech @ Southern Utah
All scores/schedules for Utah college teams can be found here: scores.utahlaxreport.com
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High School
This week we preview Region 4 and Region 3. Region 2 and 1 will be published next week and will complete our region previews. You can read other regions previews here: Region 11, Region 10, Region 9, Region 8, Region 7, Region 6, Region 5.
Boys Region 4 Preview
East Leopards
2025: 10-10 (4-4), lost in 5A Second Round to Northridge, 9-7.
The Leopards return around 70% of its offense from last season including Juniors Bailey and Will Pearson-Ortolani who combined for 98 points last season. The two are team captains along with Huck White (Sr.), Peter Killiea (Sr.) and Adam Freedman (Jr.). Sophomore Eli Brink, junior Jesse Milner-Barrazza and Reilly Pearson-Ortolani (So.) will take faceoffs for the Leopards. Jake Stringham will be in goal as a junior.
“The team has worked hard all winter practicing outdoors,” said East Head Coach Charlie Freedman. “For our team to play well in every phase of the game. We hope for our team to play complete games with full effort.”
Hillcrest Huskies
2025: 2-15 (1-4), lost in 4A First Round to Green Canyon, 18-10.
The Huskies are ready to keep the momentum going with Om Tiwari (Sr.) leading the offense. Tiwari had 48 points for the Huskies. Tiwari is joined by J. Wyatt Christensen (Jr.) who will once again be a force in the net where he had a 72.3% save percentage last year. Lars Dalgleish (Sr.) and Ian Pelger (So.) will control the midfield and take the faceoffs.
“I’m excited to watch the growth of our young program,” said Hillcrest Head Coach Spencer Steele. “We are headed in a great direction.”
Judge Memorial Bulldogs
2025: 15-6 (4-0), 4A Champions after beating Juan Diego, 15-4.
The team that took the 4A title last season is back and ready to prove they belong in 5A.
“Four years ago we started 9 freshman and played 13 total freshman that season,” said Judge Head Coach Jeff Brzoska. “This year we will start 9 seniors and have another 11 in the rotation. Not a lot of programs can say they had the same 9 starters for 4 years.”
Those starters include Rome Swanwick (Sr., Providence commit) who had 86 points for Judge last season. Sean Jerome (Sr., Marist commit) tallied 65 points while Freddy Gowski (Sr.) had 60. At the faceoff X, Dallas Mattena (Sr.) went 70% winning 278 faceoffs. Connor Knight (Sr., William Jewell commit) will stand in net in front of a stout defense that includes Dylan Krannich (Sr., Swarthmore commit) and Slade Redd (Sr., Walsh commit).
“I am really looking forward to our jump to 5A,” said Brzoska. “For the rest of the state I am looking forward to seeing some of the non-traditional power houses that I have been following take the next step.”
Park City Miners
2025: 15-6 (8-0), Region 6 champs, lost in 5A Championship to Brighton, 10-9.
The Miners have made it to the championship game in each year of sanctioned lacrosse. That accounts for four trips to the 5A title game and the Class A title game in 2021.
The Miners graduated nearly half of its offensive production but that’s never been an issue for the Miners who return Henry Alnwick (Jr., attack), Wade Birch (Sr., attack, captain) and Tommy Davis (Sr., midfield, captain). On defense, the trusty Max Gordon (Sr., Westminster commit) will be in the cage once again for the Miners and will be flanked by Harper Brent (Sr., defense, captain, Flagler commit) and Reid McCurdy (So., defense).
“We have a solid group of returning players who have been working hard in the off season,” said Park City Head Coach Mike Persky.
West Panthers
2025: 0-16 (0-8), lost in 5A First Round to Highland, 19-0.
“I think the main thing for us this year is just getting more kids exposed to the sport here at West,” said Panthers Head Coach Ramsey Henderson. “I’m excited to continue to develop kids who really only have one to two years in the sport.”
West Jordan Jaguars
2025: 1-18 (1-7), lost in 5A First Round to East, 14-1.
West Jordan graduated 23% of their offense so the experience of players like Brody Ketcham (Sr., captain), Wesley Jones (Sr., captain) and Grayson Orth (Sr., captain) should pay dividends for the Jaguars this season. The Jaguars employed a crew at the faceoff X last year and will do the same this year with Jones, Nathen Berkuta (Sr.) and Alex Navarro (Sr.). Cooper Rogerson (Jr., captain) will help lead the defense with Coleton Moore (Sr.) hopping in goal.
“We have a lot of seniors,” said West Jordan Head Coach Jeff Barton. “I’m excited for them. They are going to be good.”
Boys Region 4 Preseason Poll
1) Judge (4)
2) Park City (2)
3) East
4) West Jordan
5) Hillcrest
6) West
Girls Region 4 Preview
Hillcrest Huskies
2025: 9-12 (4-1), lost in 4A Quarterfinals to Payson, 17-8.
Hillcrest didn’t have the easiest season last year, but this is a new year, and they will be able to play at home on their new field, and coach Tucker Gamble says the girls are ready to play. “I’m excited about the change in regions to face some new teams,” he said.
Junior midfielder Josie Haddock will be back on the field this year, junior defender Kenzie Dwyer will be working at the other end of the field, and senior Savannah Watson will be defending the goal.
Park City Miners
2025: 20-1 (8-0), Region 6 Champs, 5A Champions after beating Olympus 16-6.
Park City is hoping new coach Adam Ghitelman will lead them to another championship this season. Senior Coco Crawford would love to have another big season before she heads off to Florida Southern University to play next year, and senior Lily Yaketman wants to cement her place as one of the best players in the state before heading to Virginia Commonwealth University to play at the D-I level. Junior Sophia Mondschien has also commited, and after next year will head to Dartmouth. Newcomer Avery Blair rounds out the Miner commits with plans to play for Youngstown.
Senior Olivia Dalton is one of the best for assists in the game, and she will be back this year, along with sophomore Natalia Szwajkun, and sophomore goalie Mckinsey Darling.
West Panthers
2025: 0-10 (0-8)
West is looking to improve their stats this year after a rough season in 2025. It would be great to see senior Khloe Talbot lead the team to a win, with the backing of senior defender Amelia Fresquez.
West Jordan Jaguars
2025: 11-8 (4-4), lost in 5A Quarterfinals to Park City, 21-2.
The Jaguars had a balanced year last season, but are a team always looking to improve. Powerhouse player Lily Henderson is playing in her senior year and will be looking to secure her legacy. Senior defender Susana Fisilau will also be trying to write her name in the team’s history books before heading off to Reinhardt to play next year. Senior Jordyn Hughes will also be one to watch.
Coach Cliff Tomlinson, who has helmed the team for nine years, said his team is one that truly cares for each other, and bonds in the heat of competition. “It’s that unique blend of “family” and “fire” that turns every win and every setback into a shared memory we’ll carry forever,” he said.
Girls Region 4 Preseason Poll
1) Park City (4)
2) Hillcrest
3) West Jordan
4) West
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Boys Region 3 Preview
American Fork Cavemen
2025: 4-15 (1-4), lost in 6A First Round to Pleasant Grove, 5-4.
The Cavemen graduated two seniors last season and are looking forward to making their mark on Region 3. Sawyer Jensen (Sr.) will look to dominate the faceoff X while Miles Wakefield (Jr.) leads the offense. In goal, the wall known as Luke Hansen (Jr.) will be the last line of defense. Wesley Brewer (Sr.) will anchor the defense.
“We’re looking forward to playing in a really competitive region and going to St. George,” said Cavemen Head Coach Joey Hall.
Corner Canyon Chargers
2025: 19-1 (5-0), Region 2 Champs, 6A Champions after beating Davis, 9-7.
Corner Canyon graduated 18 players last season, but their top three point-getters are coming back. Senior Ashton Brown (34 goals, 35 assists, BYU commit), junior Pierson DeGracie (40 goals, 24 assists), and senior Ren Neilson (35 goals, 19 assists) will look to lead the team once again. Don’t sleep on Kampton Dutton though, who notched 33 goals and 17 assists last season as a sophomore.
I’ve yet to see a ‘weak spot’ in any of the recent Corner Canyon teams and I don’t think there is one this year; however, the Chargers are young at the faceoff X and will be breaking in a new defense, including an opening at goalie. Look for Jack Rasmussen (Jr.) to pine for time between the pipes.
Lehi Pioneers
2025: 9-8 (2-3), lost in 6A Second Round to Mountain Ridge, 6-5.
Lehi lost 60% of its 2025 goals to graduation but is looking to replace those with Jackson Rich (Sr., captain, Southern Virginia commit), Reed Neilsen (Sr., captain, Utah State commit) and Mason Heightman (Sr., captain, Utah State commit). Jax McWhorter (Sr., captain, William Penn commit) will anchor the defense in front of Isaac Van Cott (Jr.) in goal. Stockton Dorton (Sr.) and Ian Bullock (Sr.) are also captains for the squad.
“This year’s team is big, fast and physical,” said second year head coach Ricky Damraur. “Our attack unit is going to ride like heck and we should get lots of fast break opportunities because of it.”
Lehi is also benefiting from a healthy youth program.
“Last spring out of our 33 varsity players, only 7 played before high school,” said Damraur. “This year we should be around a dozen and next year it will be over 20 thanks to all the efforts made by our youth program.”
Lone Peak Knights
2025: 14-5 (4-1), lost in 6A Semifinals to Corner Canyon, 13-3.
The Knights’ captains this season are Ammon Hawkins (Sr.), Rex Hansen (Sr.), Bridger Dunn (Jr.) and JB Pugh (Jr.). Dunn will lead the defense alongside Hansen who will be in goal for the Knights. Pugh will lead the offense. In the midfield, look for David Aceves to make waves. Nicolas Palmer (So.) took the most reps at faceoffs of players who are returning.
“We have a fairly young team with lots of growth potential,” said Knights Head Coach Rich Farr.
Skyridge Falcons
2025: 19-1 (5-0), Region 3 Champs, lost in 6A Semifinals to Davis, 11-10 in OT.
The Falcons burst onto the scene last year and are poised to do it again this year. The offense returns nearly everyone who contributed last year so you’ll recognize Cabell Beuchner (Sr., Washington & Lee commit) who had 122 points last season, Dylan Forsgren (Sr., UVU commit), Carson Butterfield (Sr.), Dane Lambert (Sr., UVU commit) and Dominic Weaver (Sr., Utah Tech commit). In the midfield, watch for sophomore LSM Renner Farrer who had 3 goals and assist last season as well as 88 groundballs. Faceoffs will be by committee to open the season. Covelli Moore (Sr., BYU commit), will lead the defense in front of goalie Spencer Boyd (Sr.).
“We return a number of players who gained valuable experience last season, which gives us some continuity,” said Falcons Head Coach Bart Butterfield. “That said, every year is different, and this group still has a lot to prove. Our focus is on daily improvement and seeing how the team responds as the season unfolds.”
Boys Region 3 Preseason Poll
1) Corner Canyon (3)
2) Skyridge (2)
3) Lone Peak
4) Lehi
5) American Fork
Girls Region 3 Preview
American Fork Cavemen
2025: 6-12 (2-8), lost in 6A Second Round to Farmington, 24-3.
Junior Claire Corbridge is back this season to lead the team after setting the scoring record for the squad last year with an average of 3.4 goals per game. She’s joined by senior attacker Emma Call and senior defender Sarah Egan, as well as junior goalie Emma Knolwton.
This is the second year for coach Portia Rowberry to be leading the team, and she says she is looking forward to developing the skills of the players as they head into the season.
Corner Canyon Chargers
2025: 6-13 (2-3), lost in 6A Second Round to Lone Peak, 22-10.
Matt Kenning is hitting the decade mark as a high school lacrosse coach and marking his seventh year as the coach of the Chargers. The team lost star Cat Faucette at graduation, but still has plenty of talent on the field, including senior Alice Lindford at attack and midfield junior Lizzie Bradshaw.
Kenning says they have solid leadership and a good group of incoming players that will immediately make an impact on the field. He’s hopeful the team can bring home a championship. “This looks to be the year we turn the Corner (pun intended),” he said.
Lehi Pioneers
2025: 10-8 (6-4), lost in 6A Second Round to Syracuse, 13-7.
Senior goalie Kate Prettyman will be in the net for one more year before heading off to North Carolina to play at William Peace University. While she’s holding things down on that side of the field senior Ashlyn Atkin (and last year’s top scorer) will be looking to score, and senior Hannah Jorgensen will be there to assist.
Coach Taylor Siri says the team is ready to make some waves in the region. “We are excited about our veteran team this year,” she said. “And we are looking forward to it all coming together this season.”
Lone Peak Knights
2025: 16-4 (9-1), lost in 6A Quarterfinals to Skyridge, 13-12.
The Knights said goodbye to powerhouse players Sadie Neuenschwander and Lily Brown at graduation, but they still have lots of great players taking the field this year. Senior Norah Lisonbee will be looking to step up to fill their shoes, along with sophomore goalie Elsie Hume.
When asked about players on the team, coach Weslie Lundell said, “This question is too hard for me to answer as the group of athletes I have is incredibly talented. I’m excited to see what they all can do. I’m so excited to see this team come together as one unit. It’s one of their goals this year and the team is itching to get the season started so they can watch their new found unity unfold.”
Skyridge Falcons
2025: 17-4 (9-1), lost in 6A Semifinals to Mountain Ridge, 14-11.
Skyridge had an amazing record last year, and many of their top players will return this season. Sophomore Ellie Palmer will be looking to break four goals per game on average, but teammate sophomore Summer Buechner could beat her to that goal as the top overall scorer last year with 165 points. Senior goalie Taylor Brems will be keeping guard in the net.
Girls Region 3 Preseason Poll
1) Skyridge (5)
2) Lone Peak
3) Lehi
4) Corner Canyon
5) American Fork
Notes
Interview w/ Utah Head Coach Drew McMinn
Last week I spoke with Utah Head Coach Drew McMinn. We talked about the season so far, the Denver game and more! Listen here.
That’s all for now, see you next week!