Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Kimberly Houk ReportingA girl's soccer team from Sandy is getting national recognition. The Alta High Hawks haven't lost a game in two years and the National Soccer Coaches Association ranks them third in the nation.
The Alta High girl's soccer team dominates in Utah. Candace Gagon has already scored 16 goals this year and her 17th came just 23 minutes into a play-off game against Northridge.
Candace Gagon, Junior: “Big thing in soccer is fitness, and I’ve always loved running. I’ve always loved the game. I can’t get enough of it.”
The love of the game is one of many things that makes this team good. They all work hard, play together, and prepare year round to be the best.
Allison Martino, Senior: “We practice two hours every day. Saturdays we run three miles. Off seasons we lift together. We’re eating right. We have team dinners once a week with each other. We keep each other in line.”
Whitney Urrutia, Senior: “We do a lot of team bonding. As long as you trust your team mates on the field you're going to be able to play with them better. Being able to know them as a person, where they're going to run, how they're going to play."
They also work on the mental part of the game with a psychology teacher at the school. And it all adds up to a winning combination and a huge national honor.
Most of the players get their recognition from playing on club teams that play all over the nation. Soccer coaches across America see firsthand how good the Alta High girls are.
Steve Cook, Father: “In a lot of the tournaments as many as three or four hundred college scouts will come to watch the club tournaments.”
Many of the players have already been recruited to play college soccer, a skill that will pay for their way through college.
