Highland soccer finishes season with tough final game

Being just one game away from making the state tournament is the last place the Highland girls soccer team wanted to be. The Rams took on Clearfield, Oct. 6, to decide who would claim the last spot in Region 6 for the state tournament. The game was decided on penalty kicks and Highland narrowly lost, 5-4.

Despite not making the playoffs this year, first year coach Eddy Clements said the team was filled with smart, talented athletes that never gave up.

“I’m heartbroken for the girls because they didn’t go on to state, but certainly not disappointed with the way they played during the season,” he said. “I’ve never coached a team with so much heart.”

Highland had a very young team this season. Clements said it was a challenge for them to play against teams that were senior heavy, with very experienced players. Injuries have been another challenge for Highland this year. Ari Davis and Kate Orchard suffered injuries that kept them off the field. Davis played the striker position while Orchard played in the center.

Clements said Orchard had a big influence in the midfield and spent most of the games attacking. Her ankle injury kept her out for a few games at the beginning of the season but she was able to finish out with her team.

Madi Olsen and Andrea Webber also battled injuries throughout the season. Webber rolled her ankle during the first three minutes of Highland’s first game against Hillcrest. She has been out for most of September but managed to play the last few games.

“This season had a lot of adversity for our team to overcome -- a new coach, new region and new players, but I think we really came together in the end,” Olsen said.

Highland ended its season with a 4-11 record but had several closes losses. The players worked together and contributed to the team, leaving little room for superstar players, Clements said. Leading the team in scores this year were Orchard, Ana Morgan and Amanda Burkley.

Although the season has just come to an end, Clements said he is already making plans for the next season. Krystal Payne, Molly Vroom and April Owens are three freshmen who Clements is looking at to be strong next season. Training camps and other opportunities next summer will help those players returning to Highland’s team next year and give them a boost.

The Rams hopes of playing for a state title ended after a tough game against Clearfield. Although the team did not reach the playoffs, Olsen said she knows the team came together, played as a team and did the best it could.

“I’m not disappointed with our season because I know we played our hardest,” she said.