The Davis girls soccer team has a lot to live up to this season. The 2022 Darts were Class 6A state champions. With some key players returning and plenty of talent on the squad, there’s no reason to think the Darts can’t repeat last year’s accomplishment. 

The 2023 season has begun – and so far, so good for Davis. 

The Darts blanked a solid Viewmont team at home 4-0 on Aug. 1 in the first game of the season. Dating back to last season, it was the sixth consecutive win for the Darts. Impressively, it was the 18th year in a row that Davis won is season-opening game. That streak dates back to 2006. The last season-opening defeat for Davis girls soccer was clear back on Aug. 9, 2005, when Wood Cross beat the Darts 2-1. 

The first game of this season was a convincing win for Davis. 

The Darts were dominant in their win over Viewmont. The victory was particularly sweet given that the Darts fell to the Vikings 1-0 last season, one of just five Davis losses all year. This time around, Davis left little doubt who would come out on top. The Darts scored two goals in both halves and kept Viewmont’s offense in check. 

A balanced attack powered Davis, with four players scoring and three players registering assists on the day. Emmerson Taylor, Kate Willard, Avery Thal and T’maea Eteuati each found the back of the net. Assists came from Lydia Neville, Sammy Maudsley and Marli Francis. Meanwhile, Elesha Magley played well in her goalkeeper position, recording the shutout. Magley had 9.5 shutouts in 2022. 

Davis has a tall task to replace its two leading scorers from last season, Emery Jacobs and Olivia Flint. Taylor’s goal against Viewmont in the opener was the first since her sophomore year in 2021. The senior didn’t score a year ago. Thal scored once last season, and Eteuati had two goals as a freshman a year ago.  

Davis hosted Maple Mountain on Tuesday after our press deadline. The Darts will play at Corner Canyon on Thursday. Davis will jump into Region 1 action Aug. 24 at home against Weber. The Darts are once again expected to be among the top teams in Region 1 and all of Class 6A. Last season’s state championship came after the Darts fell short of winning Region 1, as Davis was 8-4 and a game behind Farmington.