Your future, our focus
BY SETH ROMSA TRIBUNE SPORTS WRITER
Courtesy of the Powell Tribune
After a disappointing 2-13 season a year ago, the Northwest College women’s soccer team is hoping for an improved campaign this year.
Eight sophomores return to the program after 13 were rostered to begin last season.
“There’s a couple of them that are stepping up and setting the standards,” coach Rob Hill said. “That’s what we need in terms of habits on a daily basis, especially when we get tired and weary.”
Hill said that last year was disappointing because the team had a lot of talent but lacked depth overall, with several injuries hampering the program.
He said heading into this year the team not only has depth, but also the quality to replace players should the starters get tired or injured.
“We’ve got multiple people who can score goals, we’ve got strong defense and multiple people that can play midfield,” Hill said.
Just over half of the team will be freshmen, with the players hoping to make a jump in the conference.
GILLETTE RETURNS
Returning to the conference after a hiatus since the athletic programs were removed due to funding concerns during the pandemic will be Gillette College.
That will bring added difficulty to Region IX, as Gillette made it to the national tournament in the few years it existed prior to the program’s removal.
“They are going to be very competitive in the recruiting side of things,” Hill said. “The women got a late start in recruiting which will be interesting to see how they respond to that. We got three very good girls out of Gillette which I am super pleased with. Gillette is going to be very competitive.”
He said that a new addition this year will be an automatic berth to the national tournament for the winner of the Region IX tournament, which has not existed in prior years for the women’s side.
The addition of Gillette will split the region in half, with teams needing to place in the top six to make the postseason after eight teams made it in previous years.
The top two teams in each half of the region will earn first round byes in the playoffs, while the three and four seeds will host play-in games.
“I think there needs to be a reward for finishing top two,” Hill said. “You have to be the best to be in that top four and that’s going to be where we are pushing for.”
SCRIMMAGES THIS WEEKEND
The team will get its feet wet this weekend, with two scrimmages on the schedule.
Northwest will take on the University of Providence at home at noon Saturday, before heading to Billings on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. to take on Rocky Mountain College.
“I am just looking for them to get used to the college game,” Hill said. “It will be much faster, physical and the referee is going to be different to what they are used to.”
Powell will have its first official games of the season next week at home, hosting Utah State University-Eastern on Thursday at noon, and Truckee Meadows Community College at 9 a.m. next Saturday.