Senior leads Davis to OT win over Skyline

There are plenty of freshmen and sophomores playing prominent roles on the Davis soccer team, but some moments are better left to seniors.

Chelsea Dunn led the way for the youthful Darts, striking two goals — including the game-winner in overtime — in a season-opening 2-1 win over Skyline. In a rare game on the Skyline football field on Tuesday night, Davis showed just how dangerous it could be this year.

"The freshmen bring a lot — some are better than me, to be honest," Dunn said. "But in practice, we practice just a touch and a shot. You can't worry about if they go in. And I was just getting them off faster tonight."

Dunn was sharing the field with a pair of talented freshman attackers, her sister Ireland Dunn and Regyn Youngberg. Both took plenty of shots in the overtime win, but for all their speed and agility around the field, they couldn't quite finish near the net.

Chelsea Dunn showed her teammates how to finish with a pair of very similar goals: shots that hung in the air and got just to the left of Skyline's all-state keeper, Alli Spencer. Her equalizer in the 67th minute drew the game out, and her 84th-minute clincher drew a fist-pumping celebration.

As the game went on, the Darts got stronger, driving direct lines down the field to the Eagles' end. On the defensive end, Sarah Beecher made the most of her first varsity appearance with several diving and leaping saves that kept the game close.

Coach Souli Phongsavath was all smiles afterward, happy to see a glimpse of what his Darts could become.

"It's good that your senior can provide an example like that, and we also had some of our younger girls get assists," he said. "It took us 40 minutes to warm up, but I saw our potential."

Skyline's quest to get back to the Class 4A title game got off to a frustrating start on its home field. Sophomore Jaslyn Masina offered a first-half highlight with a slightly deflected floater that landed well behind Beecher for the only score.

But coach Yamil Castillo was concerned by his defense's response to the Darts' pressure, and had some immediate suggestions for improvement.

"Our girls were dribbling too much, and we need them to get it out there," he said. "We've started the last two seasons with losses, and it's always opened our eyes. We have to get better — we have no choice."

kgoon@sltrib.com

Twitter: @kylegoon —

Storylines Davis 2, Skyline 1 (OT)

R Senior Chelsea Dunn scores a pair of goals — one in the second half and one in overtime.

• Skyline sophomore Jaslyn Masina has the Eagles' only goal in the 29th minute.