New season, same objectives for Bingham soccer

For some teams, making the playoffs is a rare treat. For the Bingham boys soccer team, it’s an expectation. 

Players and coaches think this year should be no different.

Head coach Leo Gonzalez doesn’t put a specific number on the board for the players to achieve, nor does he set a minimum record the team must attain. His objectives are simple.

“Our expectations for this season are to perform at the highest level possible and to give ourselves the opportunity to represent our school by competing in the playoffs,” he said. “Having a good run in the playoff is the main goal. We have the quality and talent to do that.”

Last season, the Miners won Region 3 of Class 5A with a perfect 12-0 mark. They finished an impressive 15-0 overall and fell to Herriman in the state semifinals 3-0. Like any year, Bingham has some holes to fill in the starting lineup, but that only gives younger, less experienced players a chance to step up.

The challenges we face are not any different from other teams,” Gonzalez said. “We lost some of our senior players last season and now have sophomores and juniors taking over these spots. We hope to have an established maturity level and to make the transition as painless as possible.”

Gonzalez will look to seniors Israel Davilla, Nate Devenberg, Andrew Devenberg, Hayden Peacock, and juniors Brayden Davis and Taylor Davis for leadership and on-the-field performance. As the season began, Gonzalez was still tinkering with the lineup, but he had seven seniors, 10 juniors and a pair of sophomores—Santiago Hans and Merrill Davis—at his disposal. He said each player has impressed him so far.

In fact, Gonzalez said there are many things about this team that he likes. He’s especially interested in how well the players come together as a unit.

“We have a group of young men that are technical, tactical and discipline oriented,” he said. “I can also appreciate the different personality traits of our players. We base everything we do on principles of being selfless, trustworthy and working as a team.”

Bingham began the season March 6 with a 1-0 win over Riverton. The team hosted Hillcrest March 12 and played at Pleasant Grove March 16 in the Region 4 opener. Because of the small number of league foes (four), the Miners will face its league opponents three times. All but the last-place team from the region will make the playoffs. 

Gonzalez is pleased not only with what he believes the team can accomplish this season but also with what’s in store for years to come.

“I’m excited about the talent of players that we have at Bingham,” he said. “We have a solid varsity group and made some important additions to the roster during tryouts. I’m also excited with our JV team; these kids are eager to learn and contribute. I would say that the future is bright for our program.”