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West Valley City Journal

Granger soccer wants to return to state dominance

Apr 12, 2021 10:37AM ● By Greg James

The 2019 Lancer soccer team advanced to the semifinals before losing 2-1 to Copper Hills. (Photo courtesy of Granger soccer)

By Greg James | [email protected] 

The seniors on the Granger High School soccer team are full of grit and determination.

“For a team with a new coach and coming off a season with only three games. I feel like we are in a good place,” new Lancer head coach Tyler Stockstill said. 

The team will rely on the strength of a roster filled with 14 seniors. Their on-field experience had been limited with the cancellation of last season. In 2019, as sophomores, they advanced to the state tournament semifinals. 

“This is a strong senior group. They have had some good leadership and some really strong players in every position on the field,” Stockstill said. “What I have seen from the players so far is the attitude to improve each day. They have been developing a positive environment and pushing each other to get better.”

They opened the season with two losses in very close games, a 3-2 overtime loss to Fremont, and then a final minutes defeat at the hands of East, 1-0.

“Even though we have lost two games I have not seen the frustration spillover. They are using it to motivate themselves. These players are learning lessons and moving forward onto the next thing,” Stockstill said.

Seniors Jacob Hall and Jesus Arellano anchor the center of the field for the Lancers. According to their new coach, they will need to click to help defend the back. Midfielder Ryan Soto and forwards Salvador Colorado and Diego Fuentes round out the foundation of the team.

“I think we are deep in every position on the field. Jake and Jesus are both strong players. Ryan is a top player for us. We also have two senior goalkeepers that are strong,” Stockstill said.

Isaac Sanchez has played goal in the early season. Jose Gonzalez is expected back to help split time in goal.

The Lancers compete in the Utah High School Activities Association’s Region 2 against Hunter, Cyprus, Kearns, Taylorsville and West Jordan. In 2019, the Lancers finished 4-4 in region play.

“Traditionally, this is a pretty good region. Top to bottom I do not see any easy games,” Stockstill said.

The experience of making the semifinals two years ago is something that will help them.

“What is important about that run is the players are able to realize the potential that has existed for a long time. They have learned that if they carry the right attitude and put in the work during games and training it can pay off. That is what we are seeing in this group,” Stockstill said.

Granger won a region title in 2018 going 7-1. That season they lost to Riverton in the first round of the state tournament. They have never won a state championship.

“One of our challenges is to build a culture of winning. It is how we carry ourselves on the field, in the classroom, and outside of school. We want to represent the school and leave the program better than when we found it,” Stockstill said. “The talent has been here, they just have not gotten the opportunities. We have been learning how to face challenges. The confidence comes when they realize they have the ability to overcome it. Challenges are not bad things, it’s how we face them that makes us who we are. I am proud of the work these kids have done on and off the field.”

The 6A state finals are scheduled to be held on May 23 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy.