Coaches Poll, Weekly Game Recap, KSL Game of the Week and College Lacrosse!
Coaches Poll, Weekly Game Recap, KSL Game of the Week and College Lacrosse!
Girls Lacrosse
As we enter this week’s games I want to put a reminder out there for all, Coaches, Players, and Fans, that sportsmanship is a high focus in lacrosse. Keep in mind that these athletes are still kids developing as a person and an athlete.
The game we’ve all been waiting for, Park City at Olympus 5/3. The Titan’s stadium was packed! As I sat in the front row, I watched numerous Coaches and Athletes from other schools roll in to watch this match. Eva Thorn is a player we have all learned to know and love. On her Senior night she struck the cage with 6 goals! Thorn started the game with back-to-back goals. Olympus kept the lead for most the game. The Titans received 4 yellow cards resulting in playing man down within the second half. The team capitalized on the possession of the draw that made one of the biggest differences in this game. Flipping the board to Park City Jr. Sophie Neff scored 6 of the Miners 13 goals! Park city trailed behind most of this game. In the last few minutes of this game the teams brought intense energy. With less than a minute, Park City sails two goals into the back of Olympus’s cage. As the whistle blew for the last draw every effort was made by the Miners to make that tying goal. The game ended with Olympus scoring 14 goals and Park City scoring 13 goals. There is no doubt in any of our minds that we’ll see these two in play offs and possible 5A State Championships again!
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No. 1 Olympus - The Titans jumped forward with two more W this past week. Their Game record is 12-0 with their team stats; 216 Goals, 89 Assists, 368 Shots on Goal, 192 Ground Balls, 68 Caused Turnovers, 204 Draw Controls, 295 Draw Attempts, 63 Goals Against, and 49% on Saves. Olympus ranks #33 in the Nation and #1 place across the board for Utah, 5A and Salt Lake City.
No. 2 Park City - The Miners move back into second place this week after their first L in Utah against Olympus. The Miners game rankings is 9-4 with their team stats; 191 Goals, 68 Assists, 275 Shots on Goal, 183 Ground Balls, 110 Caused Turnovers, 135 Draw Controls, 229 Draw Attempts, 79 Goals Against and 43% Saves. Park City ranks #115 Nationally and #2 in Utah, 5A and Salt Lake City.
No. 3 Lone Peak - The Knights drop one space in this week’s coaches’ poll. The Knights’ game ranking is 12-1 with their only loss being to No.1 Olympus. Their team stats; 204 Goals, 66 Assists, 408 Shots on Goal, 207 Ground Balls, 140 Caused Turnovers, 175 Draw Controls, 294 Draw Attempts, 80 Goals Against and 51% Saves. Lone Peak ranks #171 Nationally, #1 in 6A and #3 in Utah and Salt Lake City.
No. 4 Corner Canyon – The Chargers hold their place in fourth. The Chargers’ game rankings are 11-2 on the season. Their team stats; 184 Goals, 65 Assists, 303 Shots on Goal, 428 Ground Balls, 107 Caused Turnovers, 190 Draw Controls, 284 Draw Attempts, 83 Goals Against and 42% Saves. Corner Canyon is #277 Nationally, #5 in Utah, #3 in 6A and #4 in Salt Lake City.
No. 5 Brighton – The Bengals move up in the Coaches Poll rankings. The Bengals game rankings are 7-5 for this season. Their team stats; 117 Goals, 30 Assists, 177 Shots on Goal, 128 Ground Balls, 69 Goals Against and 45% Saves. Brighton is #424 Nationally, #9 in Utah, #4 in 5A and #6 in Salt Lake City.
No. 6 Mountain Ridge – The Sentinels dropped one space on the board this week. The Sentinels game rankings are 7-6 for this season. Their team stats;117 Goals, 33 Assists, 203 Shots on Goal, 303 Ground Balls, 115 Caused Turnovers, 117 Draw Control, 278 Draw Attempts, 141 Goals against and 36% Saves. Mountain Ridge is #327 Nationally, #6 in Utah and #4 in 6A.
No. 7 Herriman – The Mustangs fell one spot as they ended last week with two great wins over Highland and West. The Mustangs are 9-3 on the season. Their team stats; 161 Goals, 65 Assists, 275 Shots on Goals, 313 Ground Balls, 90 Caused Turnovers, 167 Draw Controls, 276 Draw Attempts, 95 Goals Against, and 39% Saves. Herriman is #433 Nationally, #10 in Utah, #5 in 6A and #7 in Salt Lake City.
No. 8 Farmington – The Phoenixs move up two spaces this week after two great wins over Clearfield and their rematch against No. 10 Fremont. The Phoenixs are 13-1 on the season, with their only lost to No. 2 Park City. Their team stats; 201 Goals, 61 Assists, 323 Shots on Goal, 354 Ground Balls, 145 Caused Turnovers, 172 Draw Controls, 319 Draw Attempts, 91 Goals Against and 62% Saves. Farmington is ranked #258 Nationally, #4 in Utah and #2 in 6A.
No. 9 Bear River – The Bears slide down one slot on this weeks coaches poll. The Bears are 12-1 this season, with their only loss against No. 4 Corner Canyon. Their team stats; 226 Goals, 115 Assists, 403 Shots on Goal, 761 Ground Balls, 208 Caused Turnovers, 213 Draw Controls, 285 Draw Attempts, 41 Goals Against, and 46% Saves. Bear River is ranked #330 Nationally, #7 in Utah, #1 in 4A and #4 in Salt Lake City.
No. 10 Fremont – We welcome the Silverwolves to the top 10 Coaches Poll. The Wolves are 10-4 on the season. Their teams stats; 196 Goals, 55 Assists, 292 Shots on Goal, 277 Ground Balls, 133 Caused Turnovers, 202 Draw Controls, 302 Draw Attempts, 107 Goals Against, and 43% Saves. Fremont is ranked #591 Nationally, #13 in Utah #8 in 6A and #10 in Salt Lake City.
WEEKLY GAME RECAP
Farmington invited the Clearfield Falcons to their home field for their second match up. During their first match up the Phoenixes defeated the Falcons 15-6 on 3/30. For their most recent game the score stayed the same 15-6 on 5/2. The Phoenixes nominated Alexandra MacAulay as the MVP of this game! Coach MacAulay, “Alexandra, scored 5 goals to lead the team.” Final thoughts on this game, “We started out slow primarily because it was senior night and I think our young ladies were a bit distracted but after a timeout at the 10-minute mark we started to play our game.” The Phoenixes faced off with the Fremont Silverwolves for their second time, First go around was filmed live on KSL Sports Rewind where Phoenixes defeated the Silverwolves 12-11. Second time around the game was just as close with a 9-7 win for the Phoenixes. The Phoenixes nominated Kate Carter as the MVP of this game! Coach MacAulay, “Kate, locked down on defense and also caused 4 turnovers on Fremont.” Overall thoughts on the game,” Overcame some injury adversity to build and sustain a lead despite a ferocious comeback from Fremont.”
Lehi invited the Alta Hawks to their home turf 5/4. The Pioneers and the Hawks have battled it out once before on 4/17, where the Pioneers took home the win, 9-5. As they face up for the second time the Pioneers obtain the w once more, 13,2. The Pioneers nominated Charity Whitehead as the MVP of this game! Coach Siri, “Charity played incredible in the goal with 10 saves and over 80% save percentage. She was a leader for the defense and never gave up!” Over all thoughts on this game, “Lehi was able to thrive in this game because they played as a team. Defense was on lock down, causing many turnovers to then make pretty transitions to the offense. Offense was deliberate and took every opportunity possible to score. Overall, our team’s positivity and determination led to our success.”
Provo traveled to the home of the Maple Mountain Golden Eagles turf on 5/3 to play in a high-level game. The Bulldogs beat the Golden Eagles, 8-6. The Bulldogs nominated Lizzy Moyes as the MVP of this game! Coach Jensen, “Izzy really stepped up into a leadership position for our defense in this game and was on point all night.” Overall thoughts, “There was a lot of anticipation going into this game. We knew Maple Mountain has had a great season and would be a competitive game. They are so strong defensively and we knew we had to be well prepared and play smart in order to get points. It was so great to see these girls out into action all of the things we practiced and studied at practice. I’m so proud of them.” Their second match last week was against Payson, where Provo dominated with a 14-10 win. The Bulldogs nominated Lauren Bauer as the MVP of this game! Coach Jensen, “Lauren had a fantastic game, controlling the ball in our offensive end and pressuring on their defensive clears. Her goals are always exciting, but her behind the back shot to clench our lead was easily the play of the game.” Final thoughts, “This may have been the best game of lacrosse that has ever been played on the Provo High field. From start to finish this game was high energy. Both teams came ready to win and played hard all night. Our defense was on point and played the best team defensive they ever have. Our midfield did great in the draw and dominated on ground balls. Our attack played smart and patiently and made beautiful connections that led to goals. Our goalie has really stepped up and been so clutch. Everything is coming together for our team at just the right time and it’s so exciting to watch.”
Bingham had a great win against Riverton, 15-12. This game came be watched on KSL Game Night Rewind. The Miners nominated Taylor Ford as the MVP of this game! Coach McCabe, “Taylor helped control the pace of the game and came away with 4 goals” Overall thoughts on this game, “It was a great night to honor our seniors and see so much of the Bingham community! The key to pulling away a W was our team’s commitment to playing like it was 0-0 the entire game, contesting every 50/50, and celebrating on every end of the field.” Second match up of their week was against West Jordan where they won 20-10. The Miners nominated Makayla Harvey as the MVP of this game! Coach McCabe, “Harvey stepped up big time this game with 5 assists and one goal”. Final thoughts on this game, “The game started very even between these teams and our girls picked up the pace. They did a great job holding possession, looking for assisted goals, and pushing for 50/50s. Love how they celebrate successes on every part of the field!” Additional input from Coach McCabe, “Incredibly proud of our girls of continuing to build on each part of the game. From our midfielders gaining momentum on draw control, defenders on caused turnovers, and attackers scoring more on assists, the game is becoming more fluid.”
KSL GAME OF THE WEEK
The highest viewed sport on KSL Game Night Rewinds in all their history, is girls’ lacrosse!! It is rare to see girls’ lacrosse be No. 1 in most large platforms. KSL Sport Rewind started their services in mid-season 2022! From then to now we have had thousands of views. None of this could be possible without the amazing crew at KSL Game Night Rewind and YOU. Keep watching to keep us at No.1 for all time!
Tuesday, May 9th at Corner Canyon High School hosting Lone Peak Knights. Listen in at 5:30pm. Watch HERE
WOMENS COLLEGE LACROSSE
By: Weslie Lundell
WESTMINSTER
What a year for the Griffins! This was Head Coach Jannel Snow’s inaugural year in which she was named RMAC COACH OF THE YEAR 2023 by the end of the season. Any time a team gets a new coach or coaching staff, you never know quite what to expect. But under the leadership of Coach Snow, along with a few key players such as Lauren Shoughro, Hannah Kellenher, and Gabriella Cheminant, Westminster was able to make it to the RMAC Semi-finals game against Regis University. After a rough 1-10 end to the first quarter, the Griffins were able to hold the Rangers to a low number of goals throughout the rest of the quarters but were never able to close the gap. Unfortunately, the Griffins lost 6-20. The Rangers went on to win the championship game on Sunday.
BYU: The BYU Cougars are heading into their National Tournament play with a 10-5 record. Their first matchup is against the University of Texas, May 9th at 2pm EST. Looking at similar records with a 13-4 record from UofT, this should be an evenly matched fight.
UOFU: After a strong season record of 9-2, the University of Utah is excited to head to Virginia Beach this week as they look to finish ranked higher than the 15 seed ranking, they ended with last year in the WCLA Club National Tournament. With some big games ahead, the team has been putting in solid prep work. “It has been about finding a balance between hard work, motivation and not burning out.” Coach Courtney Johnson said. “This team is motivated. Every game will be good, tough competition. Nothing will be given, that’s for sure.” The Utes will start their tournament play against the University of Virginia on May 9th at 11am EST.
UVU: The reigning National DII Club Champions, and recent region champions, the UVU Wolverines look to come home from Virginia Beach with a repeat ending. The Wolverines first tournament game finds them facing off against Santa Barbara City at 9:30am on May 10th. They will then compete against Pacific Lauren at 1:00pm.
We want to wish all the best to each of our teams here in Utah that will be competing in their National Tournaments this week and finishing out their 2022-2023 seasons.
