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Lone Peak's Aurie Pack celebrates scoring a goal during her team's 2-1 win on Tuesday. August 18, 2026

Brandon Gurney, Daily Herald

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Lone Peak's Sami Schiffman passes the ball off to teammate Sasha Castro during the Knights' 2-1 win over Mountain Ridge. August 18, 2026

Brandon Gurney, Daily Herald

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Lone Peak's Sasha Castro works the ball past Mountain Ridge's defense during Tuesday's 2-1 win. August 18, 2026

Brandon Gurney, Daily Herald

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Lone Peak's Kami McMurtrey works the ball toward the goal during her team's 2-1 win over Mountain Ridge. August 18, 2026

Brandon Gurney, Daily Herald

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Lone Peak's Sami Schiffman attempts a cross during her team's 2-1 win over Mountain Ridge on Tuesday. August 18, 2026

Brandon Gurney, Daily Herald

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It’s not the Lone Peak girls soccer team most are used to, but that doesn’t mean Coach Shantel Jolley’s team isn’t fun and intriguing while holding a lot of potential.

On Tuesday the Knights worked their way past visiting Mountain Ridge 2-1 while fielding a very young team which included just one senior on the pitch throughout most of the match’s 80 minutes.

“We’re definitely young, especially compared to what we have been,” Jolley said. “But we’ve changed some things up this year, and the challenge is different for us coaches this year than in others. But that’s our situation and we’re excited for the opportunity to help grow and develop this team.”

A glance at Lone Peak’s early season results testify to how different this year is compared to the recent stellar history of the program that seldom, if every incurred more than three losses throughout an entire season. This season, with plenty of the month of August to play out, the Knights have already taken three losses although Jolley and her staff are working through it with the belief that taking some lumps early may pay big dividends.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had a start like this in the nine years I’ve coached here, but the goal is to make sure you’re peaking at the right time,” Jolley said. “There’s been years where we’ve peaked too soon, and when the playoffs come around we’re not at our best. And then there’s years where we’re keeping them hungry all season, so there’s always ups and downs to every season.”

Considering what Jolley has on her roster, the potential for growth may be increased significantly this season. As mentioned, Tuesday’s win over the Sentinels featured a bevy of underclassmen, many of them sophomores, who worked well in forging a 2-0 lead before Mountain Ridge scored on a penalty kick with just eight seconds remaining in the match.

Scoring first was Aurie Pack, who was able to receive a ball past the defense with only the opposing goalkeeper between her and the net. She managed her way around and scored relatively easily to put the Knights up 1-0 late in the first half. Then it was Macie Leavitt scoring just minutes into the second half to double the lead.

All of it proved positive for Jolley, who has now watched her team win two straight after starting off the season with just one win in its first four games played.

“We have a lot more growth to do this year, but if we can peak toward the end of September, then that’s really all we can ask for with this group,” she said.

That’s not to say Lone Peak can’t rise to seriously contend this season. Sure, the team doesn’t feature the top names like it has in year’s past, but there’s still a solid core of leaders that will help advance the Knights past their somewhat deflated expectations.

“Ada (Villareal) is one of our leaders, for sure. She definitely has the most varsity experience since she’s been playing since she was a sophomore,” Jolley said. “Our keeper, Scotlyn (Schlosser), when she’s healthy is someone we think will play a big part in helping us turn things around. And then there’s Macie Leavitt, who scored a goal today and assisted on the other — she’s one of our few returning starters along with Sami (Schiffman) and Nya (Piercy) — they’re sort of our core, along with Ada.”

It’s all a much different challenge for Jolley, who has been a fixture in the 6A championships over roughly the past decade.

“It’s been a fun year and it’s going to make me and all of us better coaches,” Jolley concluded. “I’m having to learn to coach a lot different than I have in years past, and I’m excited for that challenge. We don’t have the expectations, but we have so much room for growth, and that’s exciting. Today we went really deep because we’ve had some injuries, and I really like how the ones who played held their own and competed for all 80 minutes. Hopefully we can get healthy and get some girls back, but games like this are definitely a positive in building depth and confidence.”

With the win Lone Peak is now 3-3 on the season and will next take on American Heritage before hosting Syracuse, the team that upset the Knights in the 6A state championship match a season ago.