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Davis High's Samantha Maudsley, left, and Makenna Couser, right, run through a handshake during the 6A girls soccer state semifinal against Farmington on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman. (CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner)

CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner

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Davis goalkeeper Jazmyn Booyse, pink, calls out a shot as Davis and Farmington collide around the goal during the 6A girls soccer state semifinal against Farmington on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman. (CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner)

CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner

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Davis High's bench disagrees with a call during the 6A girls soccer state semifinal against Farmington on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman. (CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner)

CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner

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Davis High's Kate Willard pleads her case with an official during the 6A girls soccer state semifinal against Farmington on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman. (CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner)

CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner

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Davis High coach Dillon Richens looks on during the 6A girls soccer state semifinal against Farmington on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman. (CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner)

CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner

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HERRIMAN — Everything’s a little bigger at state, especially rivalries.

When the stage is at its biggest — in this case, the sprawling pitch at Zions Bank Stadium — Davis scoring leader Kate Willard capitalized on chances created 32 seconds apart by Marley Francis and captain Samantha Maudsley for a 2-1 start to the first half of Monday’s 6A girls soccer state semifinal.

So, when Avery Johnson spotted fellow senior Maudsley for another go-ahead goal with just under 20 minutes left in the second half, the Darts had lightning in a bottle.

“They played the last 15 minutes with full heart, with everything they had,” Davis coach Dillon Richens said. “That’s the kind of stuff — that grit is what gives you a chance in these kinds of games, and it’ll give us a chance on Friday to show up, and if they play the way they have been the last several games, they’ll be right there.”

As with last year’s script, Davis, holding on for a 3-2 win over Farmington on Monday, clipped the wings of the Phoenix in postseason play — now securing their ticket to the 6A state title game with No. 1 Lone Peak on Friday morning, right back at Zions Bank Stadium, the same venue of a 2-0 shutout loss to the Knights in the 2024 title game.

One grievance at a time, though.

Even with the season-ending loss, Farmington (13-6) managed nine goals — including four by local college recruiting prospect Oaklee Stanford — against the Darts (15-4) over three matches this season and ended up two shy of a potential state title seat.

Stanford, netting the first goal in Monday’s semifinal rematch, set the tone once again, as she did earlier this month in rivals’ last meeting (a 4-3 Farmington win). Addy Webb tied the match 3 minutes before the break, replicating the de facto Region 1 title game that stripped the Darts of even just one-third of the regular-season title.

“They figured us out more than once,” Richens said of Farmington. “You hope in playoffs, everyone is working together and doing the right thing at the right time. Right now, they’re doing it.”

Reial Phongsavath nearly had a fourth Davis goal near the 10-minute mark, but the junior midfielder ended up just a couple of feet short of the clincher. Less than 2 minutes later, Willard showed up big-time on two set pieces, including a Katie Bennett free kick, to deprive the Phoenix of an answer.

Willard, now leading the Davis season-long scoring total with 20 goals, said Monday’s matchup was about as rail-to-rail as one could draw.

“I think you just learn new things every game,” Willard said. “We’re learning new things about them, and they’re learning new things about us, but I think it really just comes down to effort and winning 50-50s. I’m excited to match up with Lone Peak again.”

Richens left Monday pleased with a technically and physically sound performance by his senior forward.

“When she’s on, she’s on, and it’s hard to defend her,” Richens said of Willard. “She only had a few shots today; the ones she’s had, she absolutely buried. Credit to her.”

Davis, now prepping for the top seed in 6A, Lone Peak, is 5-2 in the semifinals or beyond with two state titles (2020, 2022) earned before Richens took over as head coach of the Darts in 2023. It’ll be the second girls state title match for Richens on Friday.

“Every game is different,” Richens said. “This field is a big field. Both teams got gassed there toward the end, which I think ended up helping (us) when you’re trying to defend a win. The environment’s different when you’re in a stadium setting.”

Davis defeated Farmington 1-0 for its last state title in 2022.

Connect with Standard-Examiner sports reporter Conner Becker via email at cbecker@standard.net, X @ctbecker and Instagram @standardexaminersports.