For the third time in as many years, the Timpanogos girls soccer team has reached the 4A championship game, set to kick off at 4:30 Friday afternoon at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy.

In 2009, the Timberwolves beat Bonneville for the title. Last year, the Lakers won, but now, there’s a whole different scenario: new teams on both sides of the ball, and everything that goes with that.

First, the opponent this time is Region 7 champion Skyline (16-3), a low-scoring team that also gave up the second-fewest goals in the classification this year.

Almost half the scores the Eagles did get came at the feet of junior Ashley Aberton. No one else on her team had more than five.

Timpanogos (16-1-2), on the other hand, has a very diverse offense, with five players providing seven or more goals apiece this season, along with a solid defense. They are also very young, with just two seniors and a sophomore in the net. That’s also a change from the past.

“Those earlier two teams were senior-heavy,” said coach Natalyn Lewis. “The 2009 team had eight seniors; the next year we had seven, all of whom were returning juniors from the season before.

“This year, we have two seniors and a few juniors, and the rest are sophomores and freshmen. However, most of them were around last year, so they have more experience than you’d think,” the coach added.

They also have a great work ethic and competitive attitude.

“They’ve developed so well all season,” Lewis explained. “These girls really want to be coached, and it shows in everything we do in practice as well as in games.”

In addition, they’ve had great leadership at the top with their senior veterans, midfielder Jamie Harward and defender Lexie Henrie. Both have noted names in the annals of Valley soccer and they represent a bridge to the earlier great teams in their program.

“They’re our captains and they’ve really been the leadership this year,” the coach said. “It started long ago, well before the season began. They’ve done a great job all season long and have included all the younger girls. We have great team spirit, and it starts with them.”

Lewis expects “absolutely a great battle” in today’s title match.

“They’re a fast, physical team and they work hard,” she said. “I think we match up well against them though, and I think it’s going to come down to heart, desire and endurance.

“I’m very excited,” Lewis added. “We had a great practice (Thursday). We’ve made a good run and now it’s time to finish it out.

“We set a goal at the beginning of the season and we’re exactly where we wanted to be right now,” she said. “The girls have done everything I’ve asked of them to get here, and I’m excited for the matchup.

“Overall though, I’m just really proud of them. They’ve believed in themselves and overcome lots of obstacles to get here. I’m ready to let them play and see what they can accomplish,” the coach concluded.

 

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