The Moffat County High School boys varsity soccer team is about halfway through their season, but no matter what happens from here, the year has undoubtedly been an improvement.

With four wins under their belt so far, the Bulldogs have already exceeded their 2014 record of 3-11-1, and they plan to keep the W’s coming.

In his second year as coach of the boys team, Harry Tripp has seen a determination in his players’ eyes, instilled during a summer full of practice sessions and camps as the group has come together.

“The confidence is there, they’re working on the skills, the touches, the passes the shots, all that stuff is vastly improved,” he said. “We just want to keep building, and we’re looking good.”

Boys soccer had the biggest senior turnover of any MCHS sport last year, with nine upperclassmen graduating. The roster this season also features a great deal of new talent, some of whom moved up from junior varsity.

“It’s a whole new varsity team from last year,” Tripp said, noting the different formations and strategies that have worked out well during game time.

The MCHS soccer program is also working to foster its younger players, and while the junior varsity has had several games canceled, either due to weather or lack of players on other teams, building their skills is a priority.

“They play very well together, and what limited games we’ve had, the boys have really pulled together,” said JV coach Susan Turner.

JV captains Axeel Mendoza and Isaac Trevenen have both already seen varsity playing time and hope to have some more minutes with the big dogs.

“It’s hard for some people, a lot of conditioning, but you get used to it,” Mendoza said.

The senior count is five this time, including Hugo Snyder, Diego Quezada, Javier Aquirre, Marco Ayala and Spencer Turner.

“We have way more (ball) control this year, we’re not getting down on each other,” said Spencer, one of the varsity captains.

Achieving a hat trick already, Ayala is tied for fourth in the top 10 scorers of 3A Region 3 — teammate Ulises Silva leads the league with nine goals to date — and with conference games coming up, he believes the playoffs are certainly a possibility.

Positive attitudes can make all the difference on the way, he added.

“These past games, we’re not negative at all, that’s what’s making us better,” Ayala said. “I think if we try hard and have dedication we can do it.”

Contact Andy Bockelman at 970-875-1793 or abockelman@CraigDailyPress.com or follow him on Twitter @CDP_Sports.