Ogden and Morgan high schools have occupied the top two spots in Region 13 girls soccer since being placed with each other in 2021 and it’s likely to stay that way in 2023.

They split the region title in 2021 and Ogden then beat Morgan in the state title game.

Last season, the Trojans won both regular-season meetings to win the region outright. The Tigers then beat Morgan in the quarterfinals before losing to the Real Salt Lake Academy charter high school in the state title game.

This year’s two Ogden-Morgan games are Aug. 29 at Morgan (the region opener for both teams) and Sept. 19 at Ogden.

Below is a brief look at area girls soccer teams in Region 13, which is overall composed of Ben Lomond, Ogden, Morgan, Union, South Summit and Grantsville. Region games are scheduled to begin on Aug. 29.

MORGAN

Morgan went 14-3 last year, beat Ben Lomond in the second round of the 3A state playoffs and lost to Ogden in the quarterfinals.

The Trojans bring back eight regulars from last year’s group. They have two of their top goalscorers in midfielder Kaydence Wardell (12 goals, five assists) and forward Lacie Poll (nine goals, four assists), plus midfielder Macie Burton (four goals, three assists).

They also return three defenders and both goalkeepers — Madi Wangsgard and Miya Turner — from a defense that allowed 1.06 goals per game. Toone will be a three-year starter and anchors the back line with Caroline Owen and Kenzie Kendall.

Head coach Bryan Searle said health is a big thing for the team this year with only 22 players on the roster. Morgan opens the season Thursday against Box Elder, followed by non-region games against Bonneville, Bear River, Rowland Hall and Judge Memorial.

OGDEN

Ogden also has several returning starters, including two goalkeepers who split time on last year’s team that lost the state championship game in penalties against RSL Academy.

The Tigers are led by Neveah Peregrina, a four-year starting midfielder who’s committed to the University of Portland for college soccer. She scored 17 goals to lead the team in 2022.

Midfielders Kate Wadsworth and Maya Robinson return, as do forwards Ruth Larsen and Bella Gray. Larsen was second on the team with 11 goals and 12 assists last season, while Gray scored 10.

All but one defensive player returns from a group that allowed 17 goals in 19 games last season, an average of 0.89 goals per game. Goalkeepers Emily Blackford and Grace Malan split time in the net, and defenders Reagan Wilson, Kallie Cherry and Brianna Kalista return.

Ogden’s strong point is a handful of players have multiple years of starting experience. Head coach Ryan Robinson said the team’s issue is depth, but for a different reason than Morgan’s. The Tigers have 10 seniors and most of them start, so there’s not as much room for getting younger players into games.

Ogden is 1-0 after beating 5A Woods Cross 2-0 on Tuesday. A tough non-region schedule continues against Wasatch, Fremont and Weber.

Home games kick off at 6 p.m. this year. Ogden plays its home games at the Spence Eccles Ogden Community Sports Complex.

BEN LOMOND

Ben Lomond is 10-8 in Region 13 games the last two years, and the Scots have given Ogden and Morgan some tough games in that time.

They open the season Thursday at home against Kearns and have non-region games against Hillcrest, Bear River and Waterford before opening Region 13 play at Union on Aug. 29.

Additional information about this year’s team wasn’t provided.

NOTES

The only difference with the region this year is Union High joins the group, replacing Layton Christian. Morgan and Union were once in the same region, Region 10, for the 2013 and 2014 girls soccer seasons.

At the 3A state level, defending champion RSL Academy charter moved up to 6A, further clearing the path for Ogden and Morgan to take aim at a championship.

The 3A state tournament begins Oct. 7. The state semifinals are Oct. 19 at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman, and the final is Oct. 21 at America First Field (formerly Rio Tinto Stadium).

Connect with reporter Patrick Carr via email at pcarr@standard.net, Twitter @patrickcarr_ and Instagram @standardexaminersports.

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