craigdailypress.com

A win was the primary goal for the Bulldogs varsity girls soccer team on Saturday against the Eagle Valley Devils, but after being beaten by Steamboat Springs, 10-0, on Tuesday there were things that Moffat County High School (MCHS) wanted to accomplish.

The Bulldogs came away feeling good about their efforts in a 1-0 loss to the Devils.

"They played with a lot more heart than they did on Tuesday," said coach Eric Johnson. "We know that they can play the game of soccer, but we wanted them to be more aggressive to the ball and they were."

"We worked together as a team compared to the last games we have been playing," said junior fullback Jennifer Havrilla. "We had a lot of offense in this game compared to the other ones. We took a lot of shots; they just didn't go in."

According to Johnson, MCHS controlled the game, but just couldn't score.

"We poised 85 percent of the offense," said Johnson. "We produced a lot of the offense and just kept the pressure up."

The Devils scored the lone goal with 10 minutes left in the second half on a breakaway.

"We had a miscommunication between our defense when they scored," said Johnson.

Despite allowing the goal, Johnson praised the efforts of Bulldogs goalie Cammie Hillewaert, a senior.

"Our goalie, Cammie (Hillewaert), played outstanding," said Johnson. "She was playing really aggressive to all the balls."

The Bulldogs defense was spearheaded by sweeper junior Stacy Ponikvar and fullbacks Havrilla, senior Michelle Donnel and junior Tiffany Silva.

"They played outstanding," said Johnson. "They worked really hard by not letting Eagle Valley get off too many shots."

MCHS will return to league play at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Woodbury Park when the Glenwood Springs Demons come to town.

"They play a slower pace game than Steamboat Springs plays," said Johnson. "They like to pass the ball and work the ball in. Hopefully, we will be ready to play."