By Greg James | [email protected] 

Boys soccer season is underway and after its cancellation of last season, the high school teams are ready to get back to it.

West Jordan has a new coach, Gregg Donohoo. This is is his first head coaching position. The Jaguars finished the 2019 season 5-8, and in the shortened 2020 season, they were 1-2. 

They have started the season 1-2. They recorded a shootout win over Timpview (3-2) and lost to Farmington (3-0) and Riverton (2-0).  

Senior Brian Miranda scored the lone goal in regulation in the Timpview match. He had three goals in last year’s shortened season. Donohoo also expects Christian Munoz, Deon Ascencio-Martinez, Diego Gonzalez Garcia and Ismael Antonio Arbizu to have significant impacts.

The Jaguars have not qualified for the state playoffs in over 13 years. West Jordan will host Cyprus on April 6 and Hunter on April 9. 

Copper Hills also has a new coach this season. Sean Terry takes over for longtime head coach Eddie Moura. 

“We are young and very talented,” Terry ssaid. “I believe we can be successful this season.”

The Grizzlies have started the season 2-2. They beat Kearns (3-0) and Mountain Crest (2-0), while losing to Farmington (2-0) and Green Canyon (2-0). 

Copper Hills has had goals from Angel Cruz, Trevor Johnson, Jeff Juarez and Issac Rollins. In goal, Tim Araulo has pitched the two shutouts. Terry expects Max Gutierrez, Enoc Figueroa, Angel Cruz, Cole Spencer and Mark Martinez to have impactful seasons.

In 2019, the last full season of boys soccer in the state, Copper Hills lost in the state finals to Weber 1-0. In that season, it had a 15-5 overall record. The Grizzlies scored 52 goals that season and only allowed 15.

Copper Hills competes in the Utah High School Activities Association’s Region 3, while West Jordan is in Region 2. 

The state tournament finals are scheduled for May 27 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy.