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Grizzlies Soccer Notches Shutout Streak

Oct 07, 2016 02:00PM ● By Greg James

Senior captain Kate Sisler, a three-year starter and four-year player for the Grizzlies,has recorded 24 goals in her high school career. (Aaron Rumfallo/Copper Hills Soccer)

By Greg James | [email protected]


It has been the tale of two seasons so far for the Copper Hills girls soccer team this fall.

The Grizzlies have played seven Region 3 matches (at press time) and have not allowed a goal. The spark in the defense is a complete turnaround from what they faced in its four preseason matches, they had allowed 11 goals those games. 

“I feel like we have been doing well this season,” junior Dominique Estrada said. “We have put in a lot of time and effort to get there. It is exciting that our work is paying off. It is a complete team effort,”

Grizzly sophomore McCaslin Davis picked up her first varsity shutout of the season in the team’s first region game against Jordan. The Grizzlies defeated the Beetdiggers 5-0. Senior captain Kate Sisler scored two goals in the victory.

The streak continued against Cottonwood (8-0), Taylorsville (1-0), Bingham (3-0), Brighton (2-0), West Jordan (4-0) and again over Jordan (3-0). The seven shutouts in a row have the Region 3 teams scratching their heads on how to crack the Grizzly defense. 

In the game against Brighton, the Bengals controlled the ball well in the midfield but failed to find shots. 

Davis and Ashley Sargent have combined on two of the shutouts during the streak. Davis recorded five solo shutouts while Sargent had one in the preseason against Skyview.

“We are not celebrating anything yet,” Grizzlies head coach Ryan Rumfallo said. “We are just going to get back to what has been working for us. It feels good to come up here and get a win against a team like them.”

Holli Cochran leads the team with 10 goals; Sisler has 8.

The Grizzlies’ 7-0 region record puts them in first place in Region 3 at press time. They finished last season 6-3-3 in region games and placed fourth in their region. That finish drew them a first round state match against American Fork, which they lost 2-1. A strong finish in the team’s final five games (after press deadline) will help ensure them a return trip to the tournament. They are scheduled to close out the regular season Oct. 6 at rival West Jordan. 

Rumfallo is in his seventh year at Copper Hills. Last season was the first time since 2010 the Grizzlies had qualified for the playoffs. 

It is evident the experts are not sure what to make of the recent success. The Deseret News currently has the Grizzlies ranked fifth in its 5A poll, Maxpreps.com rates them at eighth.

The first round of the state tournament is scheduled to begin Oct. 11. The finals are scheduled for Oct. 24 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy.