Mustang Soccer Returns to State Tournament
Nov 06, 2015 12:17PM ● By Greg James
By Greg James
South Valley - Hard work, determination and belief in themselves are the themes the Herriman High School girls soccer team adopted this season.
“We have come a long way in the past two years. We adopted the term ‘Believe’ this season. I think we proved we can be part of the competition for state,” junior forward Kaylee Holt said.
The Mustangs qualified for the state soccer playoffs for the first time since 2012. They had never won a game in the playoffs until this season’s 7-3 first round victory over Jordan Oct. 13.
In that victory, five different players scored for Herriman, with Holt and Ambree Bennett each scoring two goals apiece.
The Mustangs led 5-0 before Jordan was able the chip one in right before halftime. The Beetdiggers scored again in the opening minutes of the second half, but Rachel Glover quickly answered with a goal of her own. Emma Lightfoot and Cassidy Adams also notched goals for the Mustangs.
The opening round victory topped off a high output season for the Mustangs. They scored four or more goals five times this season, including a 8-0 shutout of Kearns. They beat Region 4 top seed Lone Peak 4-3 at home on Sept. 10. Holt scored in the final minutes to secure the victory.
Holt, who netted 23 goals, was the team’s leading scorer. Sophomores Emma Lightfoot had seven and Cassidy Adams five. Lightfoot led the team with 10 assists.
The Mustangs goalkeeper, freshman Rilie Atkinson, faced 145 shots this season and allowed only 20 goals.
“I have waited two years to be able to help my team have an opportunity to play in the playoffs. I was very excited to finally experience it. It felt amazing,” Holt said.
The Mustangs faced the number two team in the state, the Fremont Silverwolves in the second round of the playoffs. Despite leading 2-0 early in the contest, they fell 6-2 to the Silverwolves. The loss closed out the career for the Mustangs’ only seniors, Bennett and Kim Duke.
Duke was named to the Deseret News Academic All-State Team. As a selected senior, she maintained at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average, was a varsity player and was nominated by her coach or athletic director
