This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Tribune and TribPreps staff used personal observations, analysis of season statistics, and input from coaches throughout the state to select an All-Tribune MVP and an additional 11-member All-Tribune Team. These players were selected from throughout the state and regardless of classification.
Jesse Sindelar
Defender | Waterford | Senior
Analysis • The defensive ace, a repeat from last season's All-Tribune Team, scored six goals in addition to his fine defense as he led the Ravens to second place in Class 2A. "The best compliment I can give Jesse is that, as a captain for two years, he has been the emotional and verbal leader of the team. No one has improved more over their four-year tenure. He has grown physically and academically as far as the game goes. He is a talented player with a high soccer IQ who settles us down in the back. He gets forward and scores incredible goals with set pieces and corners."
Griffin Van Minde
Defender | East | Senior
Analysis • Leopards coach Rudy Schenk called Van Minde, a three-year letterman and two-year starter, one of the state's best one-on-one defenders, and one of the big reasons East was the state runner-up in Class 4A this year. "He has exceptional pace and an ability to get up into the attack and make some overlapping runs," said Schenk. "He can create some offense, as well. He has the ability to create some attacking opportunities."
Julien Williamson
Defender | Juan Diego | Junior
Analysis • The Soaring Eagle prided themselves on their defense this year, and Williamson was a big reason the team gave up just 10 goals. "He kept everybody organized," Juan Diego coach Scott Pltatz said about his captain. "He made sure everybody was in the right spot. He was the most physical defender we had." In addition to anchoring Juan Diego's defense, Williamson scored four goals and added an assist from the defensive side of the field.
Alex Johnson
Goalkeeper | Alta | Senior
Analysis • Johnson's 12 shutouts were a big reason why the Hawks captured their first Class 5A state title since 2011. According to veteran Alta coach Lee Mitchell, Johnson allowed 11 goals the entire season. "Alex was such a positive influence on the team this year," said Mitchell. "Some of the saves he made were incredible. He always built up his teammates."
Mahonry Chichia
Forward | American Leadership Academy | Senior
Analysis • The senior four-year starter, right, was among the state's most electrifying players, as he led ALA to an unbeaten record and the 2A state championship. He scored 32 goals and added 15 assists. "He was a leader both on and off the field, helping athletes improve their skills and encouraging kids to make sure they were eligible to participate in the sport," said ALA coach Steve Solen.
Raul Sanchez
Forward | West | Senior
Analysis • With 24 goals in 17 games, the West star was the leading goal scorer in Class 5A. Panthers coach Kris Hamlet called Sanchez the ultimate leader on and off the field. "He played every position for us in his four years," said Hamlet. "We turned him loose as a forward this year. He is a great young man who stepped up to challenges on and off the field.
Hunter Kone
Forward | Skyline | Senior
Analysis • Kone scored 11 goals and added an assist in leading the Eagles to their second straight Class 4A state championship this season. "He was a very dynamic player with the great technical ability to bring the ball down to his feet from anywhere," said Skyline coach Shawn Kennedy. "Defenders found him difficult to mark. His movements were quick as he attacked the goal."
Brigham Jackson
Midfielder | Skyline | Senior
Analysis • Jackson, left, not only finished the season with nine goals and six assists, but brought more intangible qualities to the pitch for the champion Eagles. "Brigham brought continuity between the offensive and defensive players," said Skyline coach Shawn Kennedy. "His communication skills helped his teammates to perform better during the game. He had a positive attitude and a quality work ethic."
Jose Garcia
Midfielder | Dixie | Senior
Analysis • Garcia had seven goals and 12 assists, and the team captain led the Flyers to their second straight 3A state title. Dixie coach Burt Myers praised his star's versatility. "He could be seen striking at one end and then be the one tackling the ball at the other," said Myers. "He is an incredible athlete who was easy to coach and smart in school. He can make passes from 30 yards away. He is very hard to get around. And he was the only guy on my team who had the green light to dribble whenever he wanted."
Ben Fankhauser
Midfielder | Brighton | Junior
Analysis • Fankhauser, left, was the Class 5A runner-up Bengals' leading scorer, with 11 goals. Between goals and assists, he was responsible for two-thirds of his team's 34 goals. "That might not be real high in comparison to other pure goal-scorers in the state," said Brighton coach Tom Cushing. "[But] he was our main setup guy, too. … He also had to control the midfield and do a lot of that work. He was very, very valuable to us."
Michael Cardenas
Midfielder | Pine View | Junior
Analysis • Cardenas, who has been playing since his freshman season, scored seven goals and had six assists as he led the Panthers to second place in 3A. Coach Sam Johnston praised him for his creativity. "In our formation, we used him as an attacking midfielder," said Johnston. "He is a playmaker. He is dangerous on the ball. We tried getting him in space to have him create individually. He sees the field really well. … His creativity is something we haven't seen at our school for awhile." ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
How the All-Tribune Team was chosen
Tribune and TribPreps staff used personal observations, analysis of season statistics and input from coaches throughout the state to select an All-Tribune MVP and an additional 11-member All-Tribune Team. These players were selected from throughout the state and regardless of classification.