Michele Vasconcelos set the Alta High record for the number of goals scored in a single season when she dominated the prep scene in 2011 with her Hawk teammates. The big moment came during the 65th minute of the 5A state championship at the then-Rio Tinto Stadium that gave the Hawks the state trophy. That record stood until 2016 when Brecken Mozingo, who grew up just blocks away from Vasconcelos, soared onto the pitch for Alta.
The skills and grit they learned in Alta High’s storied girls’ soccer program have served them both well as they’ve continued to chase their soccer dreams on a national stage — which, coincidentally, doubles as the playing field of their hometown crowd.
When the Sandy-based stadium fills Friday, Aug. 23 for Canyons District Night with the Utah Royals, Vasconcelos and Mozingo will be wearing the jerseys of the team that calls America First Field their own. And it’s a special point of pride for the Hawks-turned-Royals.
“It’s been so amazing being back on this field,” Vasconcelos says. “I won two state finals on that field.”
Mozingo is grateful to be with the Royals so her parents and friends can see her play professionally. The Canyons community can see the former Alta High standouts, plus their talented teammates, square off against Bay FC at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Special discounted tickets are available to all CSD families for the special back-to-school night.
Both Mozingo and Vasconcelos credit their time at Alta with helping them learn to balance a busy life. It wasn’t always easy to be a scholar and an athlete, but it was good preparation for college and then careers as professional athletes. They sought to be good students so that when they stepped on the field, they could solely focus on winning games.
Vasconcelos recalled the influence of former Alta High Coach Lee Mitchell, who stressed the importance of earning solid grades. Mitchell led a stellar career as both the boys’ and girls’ soccer coach, retiring in 2018 after 35 years and 16 titles.
Both players carried those standards through to their collegiate careers at Brigham Young University. At BYU, Mozingo was named First-Team All-American and made it to the semi-finals of the Women’s College Cup in 2023. Vasconcelos was awarded the West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year Award and made three trips to the NCAA tournament.
“I remember being in awe,” says Vasconcelos of Mozingo. “It’s really cool to be able to come full circle, following her career at BYU and now being teammates. I’ve loved getting to know her off the soccer field, too.”
As for current Alta student-athletes who have dreams of playing professionally, they say to enjoy every moment while at the Sandy school.
“Know that life is a gift,” says Mozingo. “Sometimes, it’s crazy and it’s a roller coaster but just be ready for those challenges. Be adaptable to life and just enjoy it.”
