This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Coach Souli Phonsavath says there will be a lot of changes and room to grow for the Davis High girls' soccer team this year. Last fall, Phonsavath had to say goodbye to a senior class that had lost a total of seven games in three years, including a difficult 3–1 defeat to eventual champion Brighton in the 2010 playoffs.

"I'm excited about this season — there are a lot of unknowns," Phonsavath said. "There is a lot of opportunity for other girls to come in and contribute right away."

Those girls will have big soccer cleats to fill. The Darts' departing seniors include Kendra Bailey, Jessica Harrison and Katelyn McLeod, all players who have accepted scholarships to play at the college level.

"The seniors last year really brought our team together," returning goalie Dani Mackay said. "They were all just so funny together. They played together their whole lives, so we just kind of centered around them."

Mackay, who led Class 5A with 12 shutouts last year for the Darts' stingy defense, feels the difference this year will hinge on the team's ability to create the same family atmosphere. Mackay will take the reins as one of three team captains in the fall, but admits that she isn't a vocal leader.

"It's hard to be a leader back there because I am the goalie," Mackay said, "but I think as the goalie, I do need to step up and make big plays and kind of show my leadership not by what I say but by how I play."

Co-captain Sammi Swan feels the Darts have a lot they want to prove after the end to last season. Davis allowed Brighton to score three goals against them in the 5A semifinals, a mark that only one team was able to reach against Davis throughout the entire regular season.

"It was disappointing. It was our last season with all the girls I've played with for so long, and we really thought we were going to make the finals," Swan said. "It was heartbreaking, especially losing to them that bad."

Swan added that losing the seniors is going to be difficult, but is confident that if the girls can find a way to come together, they have the talent to make a deep run again.

"I've been watching the younger players with their conditioning, and I really feel like we'll be pretty good," Swan said. "I know there are a lot of tough competitors out there, but I actually think we'll make it pretty far."

Mackay agrees.

"Every team's goal is to win the state championship, so I'm hoping that we can do it this year. That's about it." —

Davis soccerby the numbers

16 • Returning forward Kenzie Harrison scored 16 goals for the Darts last year, fifth-best in the state.

11 • Davis allowed only 11 goals in 16 games during the 2010 regular season.

3 • The Darts lost three All-State players from last year's senior class but will also be returning three All-State players in Mackay, Swan and Harrison.