Girls Soccer Begins Regional Season With 5-1 Record

By Anthony Gilbert

After a rough start to the year, the varsity girls soccer team is having a good start to region play. The team finished 1-4 in the preseason, but in region play the team is 5-1, as of September 21.

In the 5 region wins, the team has averaged just over six goals per game and has not allowed one goal in those games according to the RHS website (rivertonhigh.com). Despite the rough preseason, Head Coach Paul Moizer hopes that in the long run it will help the team.

Some positives to this team, according to Moizer, are that the team works well together, has skilled players, and the players have a team first attitude. But when there are positives, there are also negatives.

“Team speed worries me a little. They really need to push hard to get over the hump. We also start games slowly,” said Moizer.

The team does not rely on one or two players to get through a game, according to Assistant Coach Bill DeBruyn.

DeBruyn also agrees that the team gets off to a slow start.

“We tend not to be very aggressive at the beginning of games and we let other teams dictate the pace of the game,” said DeBruyn.

Moizer also likes the chemistry of the team.

“Everyone seems to get along well and there are no attitudes on this team,” said Moizer.

Both coaches agree that the surprise player this year has been Amanda Matthews, senior.

“She has really improved this year. She is a scoring threat every time she touches the ball,” said DeBruyn.

About his expectations for the rest of the season, Moizer said,“We would like to win region and compete well at state.”

DeBruyn also loves the support the team has been getting.

“The support we have been getting is very pleasing. It is tremendous and it really helps the team work hard when there are crazy fans screaming and cheering for them from the sidelines.”

The team’s next upcoming games are at Kearns on September 30 and home against Bingham on October 7.

They are the last two games of the season and are very important for seeding in the state tournament.