After leading the Huskies to a 5A region 4 championship and a berth into the second round of the state playoffs, Hillcrest High girls soccer interim coach Preston McArthur was officially named the program’s head coach.

“Overall, the season went really well; it was successful at a high level,” he said. “Our goal was to be competitive and if anything, we were more than that. I couldn't have asked for anything better.”

A defining storyline of the year were the matchups with Kearns High, a team that had dominated the region and previously claimed multiple titles.

Early in the season, McArthur changed the team’s approach for the matchup.

“That first time we played Kearns, we analyzed them, studying their attacking strengths, figuring out how to break them down defensively, looking at the formation they play,” he said.

The team shifted formations for that game, changing from their season-long 4-3-3. Despite a strong showing, they lost 1-0. 

“If I look back on that game, I wouldn't have changed the formation. We didn’t need to change our formation entirely; we could have looked to exploit different spots in their formation,” he said.

In the rematch, they returned to the 4-3-3 and won 4-1. With both teams finishing region play at 12-2, Hillcrest held the tiebreaker to win the championship.

McArthur said many of this year’s memorable moments came in matches where the team had to dig deep.

“There were moments this season where the girls were down. I think their resilience to keep going at it and believe in themselves helped them find success,” McArthur said.

The postseason loss to Box Elder High was tough, but the coach views it as part of the program’s long-term growth. 

“Ultimately, there's work to do. It's one thing to be competitive in our region and succeed, and it's another to be competitive in the state. That's a building thing that takes time,” he said.

The team graduates nine seniors, with several looking at college opportunities to play.

 McArthur is optimistic about Hillcrest’s future. 

“The other half of my team was super young. We’ve got some quality freshmen and our sophomores this year who will be juniors next year are fantastic players. We’ve also got upperclassmen who will be key in terms of our success next year,” he said.

McArthur, who enjoyed a strong high school and collegiate playing career, is a Avalanche Club coach and has been the school assistant coach leading up to this season, said his passion for the game is a driving force. 

“I'm at that spot in my life where I can't play anymore competitively, but I'm not ready to give it up entirely, and yelling at the TV, watching soccer doesn't necessarily help,” he said. “Being able to move the pieces around myself is next best. My wife teases me saying, ‘you should see yourself on the sideline’ because I’m jumping up and down when something crazy happens, but I freakin’ love the sport and I think the girls see that. They see my passion, they see my excitement and they feel it on the field. They are pumped to play.”

 Hillcrest High girls soccer team claimed the 5A region 4 championship. (Photo courtesy of Iszak Urinko)