1st & 2nd Round Playoffs, Coaches poll and More
1st & 2nd Round Playoffs, Coaches poll and More
Girls Lacrosse
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This week is filled with great entertainment. I have chosen one game from Tuesday and Thursday schedules that interested me the most. First being two historical teams on Tuesday which are American Fork and Pleasant Grove. Secondly, Thursday Fremont and Riverton as they were two teams that faced off last year in our KSL Sports Rewind Game of the Week in 2022. UHSAA RPI
Tuesday 1st Round Playoffs
Featured Game: 6A Region 4
4:00 PM American Fork @ Pleasant Grove
American Fork has a well-established program for over 13 years. The Cavemen started this season with many fresh faces on the field, including their head Coach, Russ Fletcher. To honor this historical team, we’ll be highlighting this year’s top athletes. #35 Sophomore EmmyLou Blackhurst leads the Cavemen in Goals, #4 Senior Rachel Rose leads with assists, #16 Sophomore Kyra Verkuyl leads with Ground Balls, Draw Controls, Draw Attempts and Caused Turnovers. Lastly, #12 Junior Abby Coston in cage with the lowest Goals Against and highest Save Percentage on the team!
Pleasant Grove has a long history in the lacrosse community with over 16 years operating. The Vikings returned to Spring 2023 with Head Coach Alese Wright that has returned for another year. The Vikings have led a steady year with their top performers being #13 Junior Eliza Berg with 54 Goals, 13 Assists, 49 Ground Balls, 30 Caused Turnovers, 44 Draw Controls and 135 Draw Attempts. #49 Sophomores Madilyn Floyd leads the defense with 139 Saves and 47% Save Percentage.
Cavemen and Vikings have faced off twice within the season with the Cavemen learning every time and closing the gap between them. Vikings walked away from both games with the W. March 28th PG 21 – AF 2 and April 20th PG 13 – AF 2.
Thursday 2nd Round Playoffs
Featured Game: 6A Region 1 vs Region 3
4:00pm Fremont @ Riverton
Fremonts program started up in 2018 and within the growth of the program they have gained some great athletes. At the helm of the team is Head Coach Seth Jones. Leading the season in stats are #5 Senior Jocelyn Jensen with 55 Goals, #33 Junior Mckaylee Sargent with 23 Assists, 46 Ground Balls and 46 Caused Turnovers, #1 Junior Raina Button with 202 Draw Controls and 296 Draw Attempts and #0 Senior Zoe Garside has 86 Saves and 45% Save Percentage.
Riverton has a program with great longevity, from a strong youth program up into their Varsity High School team. Leading Riverton is Head Coach Joey Dorton. The Wolves top performers, #13 Junior Kaitlyn Davenport with 44 Goals, #2 Senior Grace Degreef with 24 Assists, 53 Ground Balls, 33 Caused Turnovers 87 Draw Controls and 163 Draw Attempts. #45 Senior Madi Sorenson 77 Saves and 44% Save Average.
This is the second year these two teams meet up for the first time in the 2nd round of play offs! In 2022 Riverton left Fremont High School with a 2-goal lead. This year Fremont will be on Rivertons turf with fire under them to not wanting to repeat last year’s game.
This week’s Coaches Poll we’re creating a list of athletes that have impressed us this season from each team. This is based off of this years stats.
No. 1 Olympus – Sarah Anne is just a Sophomore at Olympus High School. Within her short time on the team, she has made a huge difference in the Titans game. For her career in Lacrosse at Olympus High School she has 53 Goals, 33 Assists, 64% Shot Percentage, 31 Ground Balls, 15 Caused Turnovers and 70 Draw Controls and 170 Draw Attempts. This young athlete was awarded “Player of the Game” against Lone Peak High School back on March 22. “Sarah went 4 for 4 on her shots and followed that up with 3 assists and 1 caused turnover. She had 20 Draw Attempts and was responsible for 11 Draw Possessions (a stat not shown on MaxPreps Girls Lacrosse but one highly valued!). Sarah is always on fire, but she excelled against Lone Peak!” Said Olympus Coach.
No. 2 Park City – Lilly Hunt, the senior has shined her way through a great high school career at Park City. Hunt has had 3 strong years on Park City Varsity. With in her career, she has scored 170 goals, 57 assists, 79% Shot Percentage, 118 Ground Balls, 60 Caused Turnovers, 59 Draw Control, 82 Draw Control and 72% Draw Percentage. Hunt was awarded “Player of the Game” against Wasatch High School on April 1, 2022, during that game she scored 6 Goals and 1 Assist, followed by 2 Ground Balls and 2 Caused Turnovers. Hunt’s latest recognition was “Player of the Game” against Riverton High School April 26th, 2023. Lilly Hunt will be one of the representatives for Park City High School in this year’s All-Star Senior Games on May 27th at Jordan High School!
No. 3 Lone Peak – Senior Maddie Potvin has spent all 3 years on varsity at Lone Peak High School. Potvin has collected over 11 “Player of the Game” awards from 2021-2023. Potvin’s latest player of the game award was on April 25th against Corner Canyon High School. During this game she collected 5 goals, 2 ground balls, 1 caused turnover, and 2 draw controls. Potvin’s career stats are 172 goals, 33 assists, 93 ground balls, 32 caused turnovers and 125 draw controls. Maddie will be one of the representatives for Lone Peak High School at this years All-Star Senior Games May 27th at Jordan High School.
No. 4 Mountain Ridge – Tessa Mortensen, this senior has bloomed through the years. With 3 years on Varsity at Mountain Ridge Tessa has gained herself, 93 goals, 52 assists, 60% on shot percentage, 322 ground balls, 83 caused turnovers, 87 draw controls and 175 draw attempts. Mortensen has been awarded “Player of the Game” 7 times over the course of 3 years. Most recently was on April 25th against West Jordan. Coach’s Comment” Tessa Scored 4 goals, 2 assists, 4 ground balls, 3 caused turnovers and 3/3 draw controls.” Mortensen will be a representative for Mountain Ridge at the All-Star Senior Games this year.
No. 5 Corner Canyon – Class of 2025 (Sophomore) Catherine Faucette has been a bright star this season. Faucette’s grace shows as she plays a meaningful and passionate game. With a career this far of 63 goals, 13 assists, 45% shot percentage, 37 ground balls and 9 caused turnovers. Within the last 2 years Faucette has been awarded 4 “Player of the Game” awards. Latest being April 25 against Lone Peak High School. This young athlete has a shining future ahead of her.
No. 6 Farmington – The young Hailey Larsen, from Davis/Farmington (youth) in 2021 to now one of the top athletes on her team in 2023. Larsen has smashed together so far in her High School Career, 66 goals, 18 assists, 73% shot percentage, 70 ground balls, 25 caused turnovers, 290 draw controls, 370 draw assists and 78% draw percentage. Her beautiful locks aren’t the only thing bright about this athlete, her ability to capture the ball on draw is astounding. Between 2022 and 2023 Larsen has been awarded 5 “Player of the Game” awards. Her latest being April 20th against Davis High School. Coach’s Comment on that game “Hailey took 18 draw attempts, with her line winning 16 and she herself controlling 14. Additionally, she had 3 goals and 1 assist.”
No. 7 Herriman – Morgan Eldredge, this senior played 4 years of varsity high school lacrosse. Across those 4 years she gathered 168 goals, 37 assists, 83% shot percentage, 211 ground balls, 66 caused turnovers, 250 draw controls, 392 draw attempts and 63% draw percentage. Eldredge has collected 4 awards for “Player of the Game” over the years at Herriman. Eldredge will be one of the athletes representing Herriman at this years All-Star Senior Games.
No. 8 Brighton – The Junior Isabelle Gurley. With 2 years on varsity, Gurley has really boosted her skills this year. With a career of 37 (32 made this year) goals, 9 assists and 36 ground balls. Gurley was awarded her first “Player of the Game” on March 15th against West Jordan. This young athlete is building a strong future for herself.
No. 9 Bingham – The New arrival after their great win against the nearly undefeated No. 3 Lone Peak. Senior Ashlyn Smith (AKA Shlyn) has prospered over these last few years. Smith has the career stats of, 88 goals, 26 assists, 94 ground balls, 14 caused turnovers, 6 draw controls and 7 draw attempts. Smith has been awarded 3 “Player of the Game” awards over the last few years. Smiths most recently award was on March 16th against Juan Diego. Smith will be one of the two representatives at this year All-Star Senior Games on May 27th at Jordan High School.
No. 10 Bear River - Marley Kierstead, the senior is a multi-athlete, playing lacrosse and soccer. Within Kiersteads career she’s scored 150 goals, 14 assists, 109 ground balls, 33 caused turnovers, 2 draw controls and 3 draw assists. Kierstead has 4 “Player of the Game” awards 2 from 2022 and 2 from this year. Latest being against Mountain Crest, April 14. Kierstead will be one of the two representatives at this year All- Star Senior Games at Jordan High School for Bear River.
Coaches, Players and Fans! Come celebrate our amazing seniors at this years 2023 All-Star Senior Games! The seniors playing in the games are two of the top players on their high school team. $5 entry fee, get you into all 6 games and 2 girls club clinics. Please sign up for the 2 club clinics HERE (Cash and Venmo are the only allowed payment)