craigdailypress.com

There's not much new to report at Moffat County girls soccer practice. That's perfectly fine with the players.

For the first time in five seasons, the Bulldogs have the same coach as the previous year. That coach, Jim Loughran, has nine varsity starters back. Experience and familiarity are what the Bulldogs consider their strengths.

"We've never had a coach for two seasons," junior goalie Heather Brown said. "We've heard all about the videos that Mr. Loughran watched to learn about soccer."

Loughran, the athletics director, took on a sport foreign to him last year. In his second year, he prepared for the season by watching instructional videos and reading materials to learn the sport.

"Last year, I didn't realize all of the strategy involved," he said. "This year, we'll implement more fundamentals, skills and strategy."

Junior Ashleigh Mann had been to only one practice, and she could already tell the difference.

"We're working on a bigger variety of things in practice," she said. "You can tell Loughran has learned about the sport more."

The team also has learned together.

In the past years, low numbers have put inexperienced players in key positions on the field. Most of those inexperienced players were underclassmen, who have grown and learned the game.

"We've become united the last three years," Mann said. "We have a routine, and we know each other now."

Four years ago, the Bulldogs won their first game in the program's 12-year history. Each year since then, they've made improvements.

Last year, the Bulldogs finished the season 2-10-2 in the Western Slope League and 3-10-2 overall. It was their first three-win season and an improvement from the previous year's 2-9-1 result.

After losing only two starters, the Bulldogs aren't backing down from big goals.

"I really think we should shoot for the playoffs," senior Jessica Uecker said. "That's our next step for the program."

Uecker, Brown and Mann are the top returners on the experienced team. Uecker is the team's anchor in the midfield. Brown is a three-year starter in the goal. Mann has led the team in scoring the past two years.

Surrounded by those three are returning varsity players Leticia Duarte, Megan and Jenna Cook, Shaylyn Kawcak, Vikki Quezada, Griselda Quezada, Kristin Brown and Catherine Compton.

To make the playoffs, the Bulldogs must finish at least fourth in the Western Slope League. Loughran predicted that Steamboat Springs, Battle Mountain and Glenwood Springs are the top three teams in the league. After that, Eagle Valley, Palisade and Delta will be vying with Moffat for the final playoff spot.

"The league is going to be better this year," Loughran said. "It's important for us to do especially well against the teams close to us."

Loughran said he hoped to build success on the team's defense. Compton, the Cook twins and Uecker will try to keep goalie Heather Brown less busy than in years past. But if teams do get through the defense, Brown will be one of the toughest goalies in the league, Loughran said.

"Our biggest strength is definitely our defense," he said. "Three of our four seniors will be in those spots."

Mann and Kawcak together scored 13 of the 19 goals last year for the Bulldogs. The team total is a school record. Their speed will be key this year to reset the record for goals.

The Bulldogs have had two games postponed because of weather already this season. Today, their season will get under way with a game in Edwards against Battle Mountain.

"I just hope we can get a field cleared off soon," Loughran said. "I don't have any more room in the schedule to reschedule more games."

David Pressgrove at 824-7031, ext. 211, or dpressgrove@craigdailypress.com.