Alta soccer celebrates undefeated season

SANDY — The senior class of the Alta soccer team is leaving behind quite a legacy. In the past four years, the Hawks have reached at least the semifinals of the state tournament every season, won two state titles and finished ranked No. 2 in the nation this year.

"This group of seniors is absolutely tremendous," said Hawks coach Lee Mitchell during the season. "They are great leaders, and not only do they do it vocally, but they show the younger girls exactly what is expected of them to succeed. I think the major reason for our success this year is because of the seniors."

Stephanie DeVisser, Hailee DeYoung, Marissa Granato, Stephanie Lowery, Megan Ohai and Nicole Urry made up the senior class that pulled the team together and leave behind some lasting statistics and memories.

Alta finished the year ranked second according to two national polls. Of course it is only speculation on how the team would compete against some others from out of state, but the Hawks did beat the team that finished No. 6 in the country and second in the Western Region in Montgomery High from Santa Rosa, Calif., but Alta was clearly the top team in Utah as it finished with an undefeated 20-0 record.

"It is a lot of fun for the girls," Mitchell said of the national attention. "I don't think it really means a whole lot, but it does give some serious respect to the soccer played in Utah."

Megan Ohai was the classification's MVP, and not only for her four-goal performance in the championship game. All season the offense ran through the forward. She finished the year with 26 goals and 18 assists.

"We expect a lot out of Megan," Mitchell said. "We not only expect her to score some goals for us, but we expect her to lead and create for others."

Ohai said that while there were many burdens placed on her, she felt like the rest of the team made things easier.

"My teammates are just the greatest," she said. "They get me the ball in good spots, and I feel like I just happen to get the goals, but really anyone could do it."

The Hawks did have others who stepped up to score, including Megan's younger sister, Kealia Ohai. The standout freshman led the team with 28 goals while adding five assists. Junior Natalie Cude finished the year with 14 goals and eight assists, while Urry and Junior Lauren Minnick each added five goals.

Urry may have had five goals, but her strength was in helping lead one of the best defenses in the state from her stopper position. With Urry, sweeper Julia Flores and keeper DeYoung, Alta gave up less than a goal per game.