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The greatest season in Bruins hoccer History

Dec 03, 2018 03:26PM ● By Greg James

The women's soccer team at Salt Lake Community College finished their season ranked 11th overall in the country. (SLCC Bruins)

By Greg James |  [email protected] 

The Salt Lake Community College Bruins soccer teams both won conference championships. In only their third year of existence, they have grown into a powerhouses.

“This year was absolutely unbelievable,” Bruins head coach Mark Davis said. “The women’s program ended the year ranked 11th in the country; the men are 14th. Generally, I feel pretty good about the year. I would have loved to win a national championship, but they cannot argue with our record and our accomplishments.”

The men and women both clinched their titles the same day in Price against Utah State Eastern. On the bus trip home, the teams jubilation could not be contained.

“The players support each other,” Davis said. “Clinching together was one of the greatest days in my coaching career. The bus celebration, going down Spanish Fork Canyon, I have never had so much fun in my life.”

The Bruin women closed out their season with 13 wins, 2 losses and 2 ties. They only allowed six goals the entire season. Sophomore goalkeeper Makenna Eaves, from Pleasant Grove,  recorded 11 shutouts.

“We have a defensive mindset, a blue collar mentality,” Davis said. “We try to out-work the opposition and do whatever it takes on both teams.” 

Enoch Mushagalusa, a freshman from Denver, led the men with 27 goals.

“We take our opportunities when they come,” Davis said. “I give Enoch a lot of credit, but our back line and team distribution. The boys created open space. This was our third season, the best season in program history. I give all the credit to the teams and staff; we worked very hard.”

Mushagalusa was named SWAC player of the year, and Eaves was the goaltender of the year. Davis was named men’s and women’s coach of the year.

Both teams played their home matches at the Zions Bank Center in Herriman. 

“To have the opportunity to play in a professional environment over 10 matches was fantastic,” Davis said. “We trained there once a week also.”

The team has a mixture of local high school student-athletes, national and international players.

“We recruit the very, very best local girls and boys available,” Davis said. “Our staff is constantly searching the youth soccer associations, high schools and clubs. We want to find the best available. We also look internationally and have great pipelines around the country.” 

The SWAC had three men’s teams ranked the majority of the season. Snow, SLCC and College of Southern Nevada all spent time in the top ten this year. The women also had three teams ranked most of the year, Snow, SLCC and USU Eastern.

“I feel I have one of the best coaching staffs in the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association),” Davis said. “The school has been very supportive. The men and women train and do study hall alternately. Both teams travel on the same bus. The Bruins soccer family is very strong.” 

In this the third season of existence, the men have won two Scenic West Athletic Conference championships. This was the first time for the women. The women advanced to and won the Region 18 championship with a 2-1 victory over Snow College.