2022 HS Girls Playoffs: Semifinal Recap, Championship Preview
Issue 96 - And then there were two (in each classification)!
Good morning lacrosse fans! It was a great day of games at two great venues! You can read the recaps and rewatch the games below!
As always, please visit our title sponsors Tribal West Lacrosse (website) & MinersTown Strength and Conditioning (website).
Girls High School
All championship games will be streamed on KSLsports.com.
6A
No. 1 Skyridge v. No. 2 Mountain Ridge - 7pm, Thursday, Zions Bank Stadium
Skyridge is ready to take on Mountain Ridge once more, with a win earlier this season of 12-9. “Mountain Ridge is good and we are stoked to play them. Ever since we played them in March I had a feeling we’d see them again in the final. We are excited to play again at the big dance,” said Skyridge Head Coach Colin Gill. Sliding the spotlight over to Mountain Ridge who’s been right on the Skyridges tail at No. 2 all season. Mountain Ridge Head Coach Angie Brescia said, “We’ve been hoping for a rematch with Skyridge since our loss early this season. Excited to face them again and play for redemption! Working on making sure we’re in the right headspace and bringing our game to overcome this tough competition!”
Recap - No. 1 Skyridge v. No. 5 Syracuse: Skyridge had us questioning their No. 1 seed when Syracuse showed up and was winning the draws and matching the Falcons goal for goal in the first 15 minutes of the game. Skyridge called a well-needed timeout to gather the troops and get back on track. Skyridge pulled out their weapons and shot fire on the goal, defeating Syracuse 22-11. It was a phenomenal game for Syracuse Sophomore Malea Hansen and Senior Brooklyn Suttlemyre. Hansen went coast to coast, passing up every Skyridge player on the field ending with 5 goals, 4 ground balls and 1 caused turnover. Suttlemyre had beautiful shot placement and great stick control leaving her with 5 goals. The last goal for the Titans was made by Suttlemyre, keeping her as the No. 1 goal scorer in Utah. Crossing the field to Skyridge, with a rocky start, River Buechner got a handle on the draw which started to turn the tides for the Falcons. River and Haven Buechner had a well-played game with numerous goals and assists. “It was a good game. Credit to Syracuse for coming out with good energy,” said Skyridge Head Coach Colin Gill. “Once we figured out the draw, things started going our way. Props to our middies for making adjustments, winning the draw and getting momentum back for us. Also, Brooklyn Gibson had an incredible game for us and gave us goals right when we needed them.”
Recap - No. 2 Mountain Ridge v. No. 3 Lone Peak: Lone Peak stepped on the field with low energy, which Mountain Ridge capitalized on by defeating the Knights, 15-8. Mountain Ridge started the game with 3 goals in the first five mins of the first half. Junior Tessa Mortensen finished the night with 3 goals, 3 assists and 5 ground balls. Meanwhile, Sophomore Emery Clark was Mountain Ridges top scorer with 5 goals and 3 groundballs. Senior Paige Runia walked away with 4 goals, 1 assist and 10 ground balls. Bekah Bargeron, the Sentinels Senior goalie, had an outstanding game with 50% saves and 5 ground balls. “We are feeling good,” said Mountain Ridge Head Coach Angie Brescia. “We knew Lone Peak was going to bring a fight so we made sure the girls were prepared to come out hard. They did just that and kept the intensity high the entire game.”
5A
No. 1 Park City v. No. 3 Olympus - 5pm, Thursday, Zions Bank Stadium
Park City is excited to take on the high competition of Olympus once more. Olympus v. Park City is the tightest game Park City has had all season. Park City Head Coach Mikki Clayton said, “We’re very excited to be headed to the state championship again. Our team is ready. We just need to play our game and focus on what we can control.”
Recap - No. 1 Park City v. No. 4 Wasatch: Another huge success for the Park City as they defeated Wasatch in the semifinals, 18-2. Park City is a very well-rounded team. Sophomore Charlie Iacobelli and Junior Lilly Hunt with 4 goals each. Senior Samantha Riely finished with 3 goals, 2 assists, 5 ground balls and 2 caused turnovers. Junior Ava Kimche was the queen of the game with 82% saves. After a fun and well-played game, Park City Head Coach Mikki Clayton said, “Great team win! Our girls played well across the field from defense to the midfield and rode to our attacking end.”
Recap - No. 2 Brighton v. No. 3 Olympus: As we all suspected this game had us on the edge of our seats with excitement and anticipation which led to a 12-8 Olympus win. With Brighton being higher ranked but Olympus beating them in the season. Olympus came into this game, to say on fire… just doesn’t do them justice. Beautiful draw control, great teamwork, played smarter not harder and capitalized on every move Brighton made. For every shining moment Brighton had, Olympus outshined them 10x over. Brighton’s Zoe Heffernan had crazy talented shots, she was one of several players on Brighton that can say they left it all out on the field. Olympus had Sophomore Hazel Baker, Junior Eva Thorn, Freshman Sara Anne and Senior Kate Richards all with 2 goals each. I don't think we’ve seen a more well-rounded team than Olympus all year. Anywhere that ball went it was taken care of by the Titans.
4A
No. 1 Bear River v. No. 3 Juan Diego - 3pm, Thursday, Zions Bank Stadium
Both Bear River and Juan Diego had great wins over their opponents in the semifinals. Some thoughts from Juan Diego Senior Nola Christensen, “I think Bear River will be a close game for us. They seem to play similar to Waterford but with a few more skilled players. We’re hoping to have it be a clean game. Certainly looks like they’ll give us a run for our money.” Swapping over to a few thoughts from Bear River Assistant Coach Colt Kierstead, “We’re excited to play Juan Diego. They’re obviously a great team and have had a great season. We’re looking forward to seeing how we match up to them. You couldn’t ask for a better game and it’s going to be fun. Their team does about everything right and we’re excited for the test on Thursday.” Both teams are 5-0 against common opponents.
Recap - No. 1 Bear River v. No. 5 Sky View: The Bears took home a stomping win once more over Sky View, 16-2. With Sky View having one of their top players, freshman Abby Hunt fouled out of the game with two yellow cards, which put them in a rough situation. Bear River started the game with speed, strength and drive to win Sky View once more. Bear River Assistant Coach Colt Kierstead said, “The game against Sky View was very competitive. Playing a team again in the same year is difficult. Their girls came to play and we had to step up and have an answer to their aggressive play. Our girls have put so much into this season for themselves and the team. They’ve been waiting for this opportunity and chance to play in the playoffs. We played well as a team, shared the ball and took advantage of what Sky View gave us. They changed up a couple of areas of their game including their defense and the draw. Our girls were able to make the changes we needed for the win.”
Recap - No. 3 Juan Diego v. No. 7 Waterford: This was the third go around for these two and the odds stayed in Juan Diego's favor with a striking win of 24-9. Juan Diego Senior Nola Christensen said, “Having a full team, we played hard and won. Senior Kyra Hoffman was on the draw and we won most of those draws. Christensen and Freshmen Olivia Prosper made several goals. Our defense was spot on. Checks were clean and got us our caused turnovers. Waterford played hard too. This was our third game against them, our third win. Each game they played us they seemed to be stronger yet still trying to catch up with our players.”
Game Night Live Rewind
You can rewatch the semifinals thanks to our friends at Game Night Live Rewind.
Bear River v. Sky View on KSLsports.com
Juan Diego v. Waterford on KSLsports.com
That’s it for today, stay safe out there and see you on the sidelines!
— Kenzie Christiansen