The Lady Dragon Soccer team is starting their 2023 season the right way, taking a win over Firth in their opening game as they hosted the Cougars Wednesday, August 22.  With only eleven games scheduled for their regular season, the team was ready to make the most of each game.  

With a new school year underway, the MHS soccer team had a different look to them after losing six seniors that had played a big part of the team.  Despite the loss of their senior players, the up and coming athletes stepped up in a big way to take the team’s play up a notch.  At the end of their first game they walked away proud of their work and accomplishments of the night.

Over the two regulation 40 minute halves, Malad worked well to fall into a rhythm, to guard their goal well and keep control of the ball.  Through the first half of the game, the Lady Dragons were up three goals to zero and not about to let up.  Offensively they did so well to control their passing and defensively to stop the ball from moving away from their end of the field.

Soccer is a game that requires a lot of stamina, speed, footwork but more than anything, it depends on a team working together to create opportunities and making the most of them.  With players running on and off the field as they sub in and out, they each bring their own energy, strengths and abilities to help the team as a whole protect their end of the field and attack their opponents at the opposite end of the field.

With shots for goal attempts from several players, Bayli Nesbit and Kaycie Miller led the team in scoring with two goals a piece.  Aubrey Shulz stepped up as goalkeeper, racking up seven saves over the game, some.  Head Coach Shenell Clark shared after the game, “It was a great win to start the season.  We match up really well with Firth and they are always great games.  We are proud of them for their solid passing and working as a team.  There’s a few things to work on before facing AF [American Falls] this next week, but we will focus and get prepared.”

It may be just a few names that are highlighted for goals scored or saved, but it takes a team to get the soccer ball down the field, create an opening for a shot and then to get the shot off.  Playing for Malad this year is Azure Ashby, Chali Briscoe, Joni Beck, Aubrey Corbett, Kencie Miller, Rylee Neilson, Makiya Shulz, Alivia Waldron, Alexa Cram, Lindi Young, Addy Ashby, Bayli Nesbit, Rachel Ostrom, Braylee Price, Aubrey Shulz, Jaezie Emmy Coatney, Paige Talbot, Halie Palmer, Kaycee Venable, and Addysin Murdock.  Coach Clark is assisted in coaching by Sheri Blaisdell.

Next on the Lady Dragon Soccer schedule is their matchup against American Falls in American Falls.  Traditionally, the Beavers play an overly aggressive game, demanding a lot of their opponents.  Knowing this, Malad is ready to dial up the intensity and take them on.