Bengals looking to make title run

COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS — While Brighton was playing its way to the 5A championship in 2005, soccer fans may remember some of the names involved in the Bengals' run to the title. Names like McKinzie Olson, Myriah Stockman, Ashley Askwig, Abbie Knox and Jessica Ringwood. Players that helped the team surprise everyone and win it all.

The surprising thing about hearing tales of those players and their accomplishments, is the story is still going. The Bengals had tremendous young talent that helped the team win the crown two years ago and now those players are all grown up.

"We have 11 seniors, and nine of them start," said Bengals coach Amber Johnson. "It is not like we are playing them because they are seniors, either. Almost every one of them is going to go on and play college soccer at some level. They have been helping our team for four years now, and now it is their time to shine."

Olson was the Deseret Morning News MVP for her contributions in the net during the 2005 championship. She is one of the top keepers not only in the state, but the Western United States as well.

"It is so nice to know she is back there." Johnson said. "It is a luxury not many teams have to know that even if the defense does slip up, McKinzie is going to make it awfully tough for a team to score."

Stockman scored some important goals the past couple of seasons, but her roll has changed this year. She is one of two center backs, along with Rachel Ulanch, that are trying to prevent teams from scoring instead. The team has the luxury of putting her in the back because the Bengals can get goals from other sources now.

The return of Jessica Ringwood, who as a freshman was a forward that tied for the team lead in goals during the 2005 season but missed most of last year with an ankle injury, has created more offense for everyone.

"We expect big, big things out of her this year," Johnson said of Ringwood. "She was injured for a lot of last year, so not very many people know much about her, but we know what she can do.

"She has incredible skills," added Johnson. "She reads plays well. She can pass, finish. She has speed and she puts herself in good positions. She has everything it takes to be a forward at the next level."

While there is tremendous individual talent on the roster, soccer is not an individual sport. Something that is not lost on these upperclassmen.