The Davis girls soccer program has been one of the best in the state for many years. This year, however, has been challenging for the Darts. 

Region 1 features talented, competitive teams, including 13-2 Syracuse, which hasn’t lost a league contest. At press time, Davis was 1-4 in region games, 8-5 overall. The Darts are ninth in the Class 6A RPI rankings. 

The Darts’ record might not be what the players and coaches expected, but the team has been highly competitive in every match. All four of Davis’ region losses were by a single point. The Darts gave the region’s top team, Syracuse, all it could handle in both of the teams’ meetings. On Sept. 9, Syracuse outlasted Davis 3-2 in double overtime. Then, on Sept. 25, Davis took Syracuse down to the wire before falling 1-0 after allowing a second-half goal. 

Meanwhile, Davis’ lone Region 1 victory was a 3-2 victory over Layton at home on Sept. 11. In that thrilling contest, Davis erased a 2-0 halftime deficit and scored three times in the second half. 

Davis plays at Layton on Sept. 30, followed by a game with Weber at home on Oct. 2. The final regular-season game is Oct. 7 at Farmington. The 6A state tournament follows. 

This season, junior forward Kate Willard is scoring nearly a goal every game. She has 12 goals to pace the team and now has 28 in her career. Sophomore Reial Phongsavath has six goals, while junior forward Samantha Maudsley has scored five times. Senior goalkeeper Kaitlyn Harris has four shutouts to her credit. 

Farmington

Not long ago, Farmington was in striking distance of taking the Region 1 lead. However, a two-game skid has left the Phoenix with a 3-3 mark in league play. Farmington is 9-6 overall. 

In its last outing, on Sept. 25, Farmington engaged Layton in a defensive battle that ended 0-0 at the end of regulation. After neither team scored in the first or second overtime, a shootout ensued. There, Layton prevailed by making five kicks to Farmington’s four. 

Three days before, Farmington lost to league-leading Syracuse 2-0 in what was at the time just its second shutout of the season. The Phoenix are currently at No. 3 in the RPI rankings in Class 6A, meaning they would have a first-round playoff bye and second-round home game. 

Next up for the Phoenix is a game at Weber on Sept. 30. The regular-season finale between Farmington and Davis is on Oct. 7 on Farmington’s home field. The first time the two teams met, on Sept. 18, the Phoenix prevailed 2-1. 

Farmington has had 10 different players score at least one goal this season. Pacing the team is junior forward Oaklee Standford, who has 10 goals. Senior midfielder Taytem Grant has seven goals, while senior Kameron Gurney has tallied three goals and four assists on the year. Senior midfielder Macey Call is the leader for Farmington in assists with five. Sophomore goalies Abby Child and Olive Wayland both have two shutouts.