Let's Get Ready for the 2025 Season
Play starts soon! Let's take a look at what's ahead for the upcoming season.
Welcome back to the Utah Lacrosse Report! We are excited to bring you all the latest stats, news, and commentary about the growing lacrosse scene in the state of Utah. As always, we will be focusing on high school and college teams from around the state, but we also want your input on the kinds of content you would like to see on the site. If you have suggestions feel free to send them to us at UtahLaxReport@gmail.com.
2024 High School Championship Recap
Let’s rewind to May 23rd and 24th, 2024, when the Utah High School Lacrosse State Championships were held at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman, Utah. Both the girls and boys provided great Utah high school lacrosse action during the 4A, 5A, and 6A championships. Twelve teams arrived with the confidence and attitude that comes with successful seasons. Six walked away with the big trophy and the knowledge they were state champions.
6A State Champs: Boys / Corner Canyon High School
Davis vs. Corner Canyon
The Davis Darts attempted an epic comeback last May by taking Corner Canyon Chargers to double overtime in the 6A championship game. However, the three-time champion Chargers had their sights set on number four. Coming out on top with a hard-fought 12-11 victory, Corner Canyon cemented itself into Utah lacrosse history and provided Coach Aaron Ika the best possible exit any legendary coach could ask. Get ready for a run at number 5.
“We had a young team that learned to hold one another accountable on and off the field to become better lacrosse players and teammates,” said new head coach Jeff King. “Going into this year we want each player to understand their role within the team and do that job consistently day in and day out.”
6A State Champs: Girls / Fremont High School
Mountain Ridge vs. Fremont
Coach Seth Jones took his No. 2 seeded Fremont Silverwolves to the state championship against the mighty Mountain Ridge Sentinels and headed back home with a narrow 11-10 victory and the first 6A Utah state championship in school’s history. The Silverwolves attack put 11 points on the board early and a tough defense held back one of the state’s most powerful offenses in a valiant second-half comeback to claim the 6A crown. Fremont has a title to defend and Mountain Ridge is always in the hunt. Keep an eye on both programs in 2025.
Looking back on the game coach Seth Jones had this to say: “I asked our team what they felt the key to our success was last year and they said it was trust. We really worked hard throughout the year building team unity. The team really became one and each knew their role, filled their role and trusted others to do the same. We had many bonding activities last year and it really helped the girls work as one team.”
5A State Champs: Boys / Brighton High School
Park City vs. Brighton
The Brighton Bengals and coach Chris O’Donnell returned home with their first sanctioned 5A lacrosse state championship trophy last May 24th. After a decisive 10-3 victory over perennial powerhouse and 2023 state champion Park City, they were able to celebrate a season of hard work with a strong commitment to achieving the ultimate high school lacrosse team award. A rematch in 2025 between these two elite programs will provide another classic game. Maybe another state championship showdown. Pretty sure Park City would like to see that match-up.
Brighton coach Chris O’Donnell says the team is ready for anything in 2025. “Hard work is the next step. We have proven to ourselves we can do it,” he said. “This year is about working hard and maintaining what we accomplished last year. We'll have to work harder than last year as we expect everyone's best shot.”
5A State Champs: Girls / Olympus High School
Park City vs. Olympus
In 2023 the Park City Miners defeated the Olympus Titans to add their name to the list of Utah 5A lacrosse champions. Fast forward to May of 2024 and the Titans and Coach Zana Spratling brought a complete and focused game to earn their second title in the last three years with a 9-6 victory. After a tough semifinal game against cross-town rival Brighton, the Titans knew they had to bring something extra to defeat the Miners. Their offensive pressure and strong defense worked like a state championship program should. The Titans understand the pressure of being a perennial state program, count on them fighting for the repeat.
“No doubt this season will definitely be different but we’re excited to put in the work! These girls are dialed. To help sharpen our skills, we’re traveling to California to play Foothill, our only loss last season by 5, and Marlborough,” said coach Zana Spratling. “Along with opening with our Park City favorites and a plethora of tough 6A schools, hopefully, the extremely challenging schedule is what can give us an edge back to state!”
4A State Champs: Boys / Judge Memorial Catholic High School
Sky View vs. Judge Memorial
Within two years, Judge Memorial Catholic High School went from not being able to field a boys’ lacrosse team to the elite status that it has held in Utah high school lacrosse since the 1980’s with a strong 13-8 victory over a tough and committed Sky View Bobcat squad for the 4A championship. The young Bulldogs will return the core of their 2024 team and are looking to continue their growth by adding games with the state’s top programs to their 2025 schedule. Skyview is becoming one of the more elite programs up in Cache County and expects good things year in, year out. Could we see a rematch between these two programs this May? Coach Jeff Brzska is counting on it.
“2025 is the same as 2024. One of our mottoes is to "Keep Building" and that's what we are doing. We are building upon everything we did last year by getting bigger, faster, and stronger with our training off the field,” he said. “It also helps that so many of our players have really committed themselves and bought into Judge lacrosse, so much so that they are playing for club teams in the state and playing all year round now. These things will go a long way in trying to repeat.”
4A State Champs: Girls / Bear River High School
Bear River vs. Payson
Everyone has to admit the road to a Utah girls 4A state lacrosse championship goes through Bear River High School’s coach Jeremy Webb and his Bears. After a 20-0 season and a third consecutive 4A state championship, the Bears have become part of the elite in Utah girls’ lacrosse. With some dominant performances against Utah’s top teams and a competitive region season, the Bears found themselves on the winning side of a tough 12-9 championship game against the Payson Lions. Both the Bears and the Lions will be retooling for another shot at the championship. Bear River will be looking for No 4 and the Lions will be looking to stop the run and start one of their own.
“For our 2025 team to repeat as 4-time state champions, we need to understand that as the competition grows tougher, we need every player to be ready to step up and make an impact,” said coach Jeremy Webb. “We will focus on building versatility so that players can confidently fill multiple roles, and we need to be able to adjust to problems that arise. By sharpening our focus on teamwork and adaptability, we will put ourselves in the best position to succeed again in 2025.”
Utah Coach to Play in the Women’s Lacrosse League
Meg Whittle has long been a force on the lacrosse circuit. The all-time leading scorer at the University of Maryland, Utah has been lucky to have her as a coach and mentor for several years at Waterford School and the club team Utah Lynx. She is now one of only 48 players selected to play in the inaugural season of the Women’s Lacrosse League. Playing for Maryland Charm Whittle will go up against the best in women’s lacrosse during the tournament next month in Maryland. We caught up with her to find out more about this massive honor.
How do you feel about being selected for the WLL?
When I heard the news I was selected to play in the WLL, my first thought was how excited I was to share it with all of my Utah girls. The Utah Lynx LC and Waterford Lacrosse communities have been incredibly supportive of my return to the field and I am truly SO grateful to be playing lacrosse again following an intense jaw surgery last year. It has been a long healing journey, but the positive energy and joy I feel from coaching each of my amazing student-athletes has motivated me to be a better leader, athlete, and woman. I am a full-time professional athlete and coach... I mean it when I say I have the best job in the world! It feels very full circle to add WLL Pro to the resume.
What do you hope this league will bring to the sport of lacrosse?
The WLL is playing the Sixes style of lacrosse which is fast-paced, exciting, and will get the public buzzing about the Olympics in 2028. I cannot wait to take the field with my Maryland Charm teammates and show the world how intense and captivating Sixes Lacrosse is. I am excited for the games to be televised so girls from all over the world (especially in Utah!) are able to tune in and fall in love with the sport the same way I have. I'm also excited to bring Sixes to the mountains and share this fun style of lacrosse with girls of all ages here in Utah through camps, clinics, and tournaments this summer!
What does this mean for the players you have mentored and coached?
My mission with coaching full-time in Utah is to use lacrosse as a tool to inspire young women to be brave leaders, reliable teammates, and confident humans long after their lacrosse careers are over. I aim to show young women all of the opportunities and doors the sport of lacrosse can open for you if you work at it... in high school, collegiately, internationally, and now PROFESSIONALLY! By playing in the WLL and on the World Stage in the World Championships and Olympics, I hope I am paving the way for the amazing girls I coach to BELIEVE they can do it, too. Playing a role in the growth and development of Women's Lacrosse worldwide brings me so much joy and is my life's purpose. How lucky am I to do this for a living?
What’s next for you?
My plans are to compete at the WLL Championship Series in February and to play professionally for the Maryland Charm as the WLL begins to take off. I intend to continue training full-time in preparation to play with England in the 2026 Women's Lacrosse World Championships in Tokyo, Japan (my third World Championships!) and with Great Britain the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
New Year, New Coaches
We are so lucky to have a growing lacrosse community with coaches from across the country bringing their experience and expertise to help mold the next generation of athletes. There are more than three dozen new coaches for high school teams across the state. We asked them to tell us a little about themselves.
Julia Rasmussen
My name is Julia Rasmussen and I am the new head coach for Green Canyon High School. I am super excited for the upcoming season! I grew up in Idaho Falls (where lacrosse wasn't a sanctioned sport at the time) and played defense and goalie for my city's team. I was an assistant coach last season here at Green Canyon High School and am now the head coach. I love introducing this sport to new players and seeing them learn valuable, lifelong lessons through the game and through their teammates!
Justin Rigby
I am thrilled to lead the Mountain Ridge boys lacrosse program, which has a great tradition started by the previous coaching staff. Growing up in Texas, I played traditional sports and discovered lacrosse with my kids. My wife and I love being involved in this community. With eight years of coaching and two years at the high school level, I am excited to apply my work background in athletic training and exercise science to coaching. I also am grateful for my assistant coaches, whose impressive playing and coaching experience will be an asset to our program.
Lauren Gilson
Lauren Gilson is the head girls lacrosse coach at Pine View High School, entering her first season as the head coach having previously been an assistant coach in Utah County. Her love for high school sports stems from her own experience as a student-athlete on lacrosse and golf teams. Lauren loves all things exercise and conditioning, having recently completed her Master's Degree in Sports Conditioning & Performance at SUU.
Matt Pulsipher
I’ve spent three years as an assistant lacrosse coach at Bear River, building on my four years of playing experience at Box Elder. My passion for the sport has fueled a long-time dream of coaching, and now that I’m in this role, I’m excited to contribute to the growth of the program. Coaching at Bear River allows me to share my knowledge and enthusiasm with the next generation of players. I’m hopeful for the future of the team and committed to helping elevate both the program and lacrosse in our community
Hailey Snow
My name is Hailey Snow, Coach of Snow Canyon High School's girls lacrosse team. I've always dreamed of being a coach, and last year, that dream became a reality! I grew up in Ankeny, Iowa where I helped start Iowa’s second-ever girls lacrosse team, and it has since become the fastest-growing sport in Iowa! My lacrosse journey continued to college where I played at Utah State University, and now to Southern Utah where I've been involved with SCHS, Utah Tech, and Zion Lacrosse. Snow Canyon Girls Lacrosse is in our third year, but the first year being UHSAA-sanctioned. We were runners up at the Region Tournament last year and we're so excited to join this statewide community! I'm so grateful for the opportunity to grow the sport I love!
Emma Juneau
My name is Emma Juneau and I am the new varsity head coach at Maple Mountain High School. I was born and raised in northern Virginia. I started lacrosse in middle school and then played in high school and then continued to play for 4 years at Utah State. I then coached at Utah State for 2 years while I was getting my master’s degree. I coached JV at Maple Mountain last year.
Utah Lacrosse Report Media Packages
We are back offering Media Packages for the 2025 season! This year we have refined our system and have improved our team.
Why would you want to pay for these video highlights or photos?
These video highlights are an easy way to create a community and get younger players excited to work and get to the level where they have video highlights of their own. Players can also leverage the video clips to create recruiting videos that are guaranteed to catch coaches’ eyes. These highlights will get the adrenaline flowing prior to the game. Nothing gets you ready like watching your own team's highlights through high-quality video.
Packages this year are split into three levels. This allows everyone to get involved no matter the budget. This also allows for teams to choose what kind of media they want on a game by game level. Senior night? Go for the specialist! Big rivalry game? Professional or specialist. Looking to save some money? Our Interns are great this year and will be sure to get the job done!
Send us an email at utahlacrossereport@gmail.com for more info and scheduling. Spaces are already filling up so make sure to book ASAP!
Lets go Meg !!!
So stoked for the upcomming HS season.