When the 2024 girls soccer season began, head coach Jamie Evans thought highly of her Olympus team. 

It’s easy to see why. 

The Titans have performed at a high level, jumping out to a 7-0 start. During this stretch, Olympus outscored opponents 27-6 and upended some quality teams, including 6A’s Bingham (4-0), Davis (3-1) and Corner Canyon (3-2). Region 6 play started Aug. 19 with a convincing 5-0 victory over Skyline. The Titans won their first three league contests, also taking care of Highland, 5-1 on Aug. 22, and Alta, 4-2 on Aug. 26. 

Olympus boasts talented seasoned veterans and skilled, promising newcomers. Evans loves the team unity and the fact the girls love playing the game. 

“I have very high expectations for this team,” Evans said. “We have a great mix of experienced senior players along with a great young group with loads of talent. We have a lot of returning players from varsity last year, so the team chemistry seems to already be there—even just after two weeks of training. We have a lot of speed in all positions on the field, which allows us to have many different strategies of how we can find success. And there is an expectation that soccer is fun, and if we are not having fun, then we need to change things up, whether it be mentally or physically.”

Evans reiterated that she has a lot of fast players on the team. This luxury gives her flexibility at all positions and provides advantages all over the field. Olympus enjoys great leadership, too, as well as a competitive spirit and positive attitude. 

“Our biggest strength is speed,” Evans said. “We have speed all over the place. We have great leaders that have played in some high-level matches, and they bring that experience to this team. Another strength is hard work. We have a group that is showing they are willing to work hard for one another.”

Through seven games, the undefeated Titans had no shortage of contributors. Evans pointed out senior forward Hope Munson, senior goalkeeper Joss Baker and junior midfielder Anna Neff as three of the team’s top performers. Munson paced the Titans with eight goals up to this point (and scored in every game), while Neff was second for Olympus with six goals. Baker had three shutouts. 

“[Munson’s] athleticism sets her apart from the rest,” Evans said. “She can play any position on the field and has the ability to change a game. And she is a fantastic leader. [Baker] is an amazing shot stopper. She has kept us in some really tight games with her ability to stop shots. She is an incredible athlete. [Neff] controls the middle of the field. Her technical ability and her IQ of the game makes her really shine in any game she is playing in.”

In addition, senior Ella Schutjer topped all Olympus players through seven games with eight assists. In fact, she was tied for the state lead in that category during that span. Senior forward Hallie Hansen had five goals in the first seven contests. Munson was second on the team with six assists. 

The Titans were dominant early on, and there’s no reason to believe the team won’t continue to be successful. Evans said her objective is for the players to improve each day. The Titans are shooting for a chance to play for a state title. 

“Our team’s goals are to get better each time we step on the field as a team—to play as a team, with the understanding that no one can carry this team alone,” Evans said. “We will find success as we work together and play for each other. Our team goal is to really live by what our team motto suggests: ‘I am because we are.’ And the big goal is to play in that final championship game of the season.”

To achieve these goals, Evans said the players need to play with confidence and believe they can win each time they take the field. Olympus also strives to play unselfishly and help teammates along the way. 

“We need a continued belief that we are capable of doing great things and a willingness to do a job that will be to help someone else,” she said. “We believe in working hard for the girl to your right and to your left, and we need to have the willingness to not leave anything on the field.”

Olympus plays each Region 6 foe twice, with the final contest scheduled for Oct. 3 at home against West. The Titans also contend with East, Brighton, Alta, Highland and Skyline. Winning region won’t come automatically, as tough tests await the Titans. Still, Evans believes the biggest barrier to success will be Olympus’ own mistakes. 

“Honestly, our biggest challenges all lie within ourselves,” she said. “Our biggest challenge is when we start to lose the confidence in ourselves and in our teammates—when we choose to hold on to a mistake rather than let it go and learn from it, when doubt creeps in and we start overthinking things, when our internal dialogue to ourselves is negative or challenging.”

Barring an unexpected collapse during the second half of the season, Olympus should be able to secure a first-round bye and second-round home game in the Class 5A state tournament. The playoffs begin Oct. 10 with first-round games. The second round starts Oct. 15. 

A year ago, Olympus went 13-6 and fell in the 5A semifinals to Maple Mountain by the count of 2-1. 

Evans is happy with the team’s play so far and the results on the field. The girls’ efforts and attitudes make them enjoyable to coach, she said. 

“This group does not need any motivation to step on the field with an intensity to find success,” she said. “They are a group that works hard and enjoys being out on the field together. We have a group that seems to be supportive in whatever role they play on the team. We have amazing leaders that really know how to lead by example. We have girls that are willing to learn and willing to try new things. My favorite thing is that this group really understands that it takes the whole team to find that continual success that we believe can take us deep in the season.” λ