1 / 8

Davis High player Samantha Maudsley pulls back to strike what became a goal against Farmington in a 6A state quarterfinal Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in Farmington.

BRIAN WOLFER, Special to the Standard-Examiner

2 / 8

Davis High players, from left, Samantha Maudsley, Makenna Couser and Reial Phongsavath celebrate a goal against Farmington in a 6A state quarterfinal Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in Farmington.

BRIAN WOLFER, Special to the Standard-Examiner

3 / 8

Davis High's Kate Willard, right, makes a run at Farmington's Sophie Jones in a 6A state quarterfinal Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in Farmington.

BRIAN WOLFER, Special to the Standard-Examiner

4 / 8

Davis High's Courtney Burbidge, left, tries to outrun a Farmington player with the ball in a 6A state quarterfinal Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in Farmington.

BRIAN WOLFER, Special to the Standard-Examiner

5 / 8

Davis High's Kennedy Taylor approaches the ball in a 6A state quarterfinal against Farmington on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in Farmington.

BRIAN WOLFER, Special to the Standard-Examiner

6 / 8

Farmington High goalkeeper Brooklyn Spilker sees a Davis shot into her hands in a 6A state quarterfinal Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in Farmington.

BRIAN WOLFER, Special to the Standard-Examiner

7 / 8

Davis High's Makenna Couser, left, and Farmington's Macey Call (11) eye the soccer ball in a 6A state quarterfinal Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in Farmington.

BRIAN WOLFER, Special to the Standard-Examiner

8 / 8

Davis High goalkeeper Kaitlyn Harris dives for a Farmington shot in a 6A state quarterfinal Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in Farmington.

BRIAN WOLFER, Special to the Standard-Examiner

❮ ❯

FARMINGTON — The origin of the ancient axiom “the third time is the charm” dates back to the 1700s and is used to express the hope that, after twice failing to accomplish something, one may succeed in the third attempt.

That old-time adage was not foreign to Davis junior forward Sammie Maudsley as the Darts faced Farmington for the third time this year.

Davis had lost to Farmington twice during the regular Region 1 season but the stakes were higher Thursday in the quarterfinals of the 6A girls soccer state tournament.

“Talking about this game, it’s hard to beat a team three times in a row,” Maudsley said. “Our mentality was we really wanted revenge; this is a big rivalry game for us and we wanted to prove them wrong. They think they can beat us all the time now.”

Three did indeed turn out to be the lucky number. Maudsley scored the only goal of the game in the 16th minute and No. 11 Davis advanced to the 6A semifinals with a 1-0 upset victory over the No. 3 Phoenix.

“Obviously, our region games before this one weren’t as great as we’d like them to be, but I think we came into the playoffs with this energy of let’s prove everyone wrong,” Maudsley said. “After region, we said what’s past is past, and everyone makes the playoffs where it really counts. We weren’t seeded as great as we’d like to be, but this is where we can make it all the way.”

Maudsley’s goal came on a play she was familiar with.

“That’s what I do best; sideline run down the right, then cut back. I’m a left foot and I usually take my defender towards the 18; then I hit it top left corner,” Maudsley said.

From there, the Darts (11-7) turned things over to their defense and senior goalkeeper Kaitlyn Harris.

“Our game plan was score early and focus on our defense,” Maudsley said. “When we got that goal, we calmed down a little bit and focused on dropping our sevens and elevens; making sure (Farmington) didn’t find their way through our defense.”

Harris expanded on what worked on the defensive end for the Darts.

“Our strategy was to keep the ball out of our half because, as our coach says, if it’s not in our half, they can’t score,” Harris said. “Especially in the last 20 minutes, we were trying to waste time and keep our one-goal lead.

“Late in the game, we wanted the ball away from our goal as far as possible,” Harris added.

She said the Darts rotated several players through on the back side and pointed out Lola Martineau, Ellie Stowers, Marley Francis, Lily Griffin, Courtney Burbidge, Kennedy Taylor and Adelaide Shaw as those who helped her keep the clean sheet.

Harris turned away several Farmington (12-7) forays early in the match and stopped a free kick from just beyond the penalty box in the 71st minute, as well as a corner in the 75th.

“Honestly, making those saves gives me adrenaline to make the next one,” Harris said.

Davis erased another disturbing trend against the Phoenix, having notched the initial goal in the previous two matches but losing both.

“Last time we played them, it was their senior night and we scored first but lost our momentum throughout the game,” Maudsley said. “Our goal today was don’t just be a first-half team; stay fit the whole game. Don’t make any mistakes or let them get any petty goals.”

Maudsley has an unofficial hat trick in the tournament, scoring both goals in a 2-0 victory Tuesday over Lehi and the only goal Thursday.

As a lower seed, the Darts have become road warriors, defeating Lehi and Farmington away from home. Now, they face Region 1 foe and No. 2 seed Syracuse at Zions Bank Stadium in the semifinals at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

“I think we’re a playoff team; we made it all the way to the finals last year. Our team runs off of energy and positive words,” Maudsley said. “We hop on the bus, build each other up and do our best.”

On a cold, gray, rainy day, Harris put a slightly different spin on Davis’ triumph over the Phoenix and its approach to the playoffs.

“Our mindset is to win, even if it’s an ugly win. A win is a win and we’re the ones moving on,” she said.