It doesn't take much.

Just little a bit of a break, a moment of separation, and suddenly the soccer ball is speeding with often perfect accuracy toward the net.

It's something high school girls soccer goalkeepers have had to face for the past couple of years whenever they've squared off against Springville and forward Natalie Young. "I remember in one close game, we hadn't been getting good shots because the other team was packing the box," said Red Devil head coach Ryan Swanson. "She (Young) ripped one from outside the 18-yard box that went right into the corner of the net. She can pull the trigger quickly and have a rocket shot go off her foot."

The Springville senior put the ball into the net 22 times this season -- one of the best totals in Class 4A -- but also did everything the Red Devils needed to win Region 7 and reach the 4A state semifinals.

For her talent and leadership, the Daily Herald is pleased to honor Young as the 2008 Utah Valley Girls Soccer Player of the Year.

"I'm excited and shocked," Young said about receiving the award. "I think I've worked hard though and it shows with how I played."

The Red Devil captain is part of a diminishing group of players that don't play soccer year-round. She devotes part of her time to track and field and is also the defending 4A champion in the 200-meter dash.

That speed made her tough to stop on the soccer field, as well.

"Sometimes I don't know if she realized how fast she is," Swanson said. "She didn't realize that she had the ability to beat the player that she was working against."

That combined with her ability to shoot with power and precision gave defenses problems all season.

"I have a hard shot and I work hard to finish," Young explained. "Sometimes I got goals just because I'm fast."

But as valuable as the physical traits are, Swanson said that he saw even more value from the senior because of her attitude.

"The goals she scored are easy to look at, but it's more than that for me," he said. "She had the desire to be competitive day in and day out. She was abile to come through in clutch situations and she involved the rest of team. That made it harder for opponents to focus on her, because she'd find open person."

Both Young and her coach recognize that she can still get better. She wants to improve on her footwork and technical dribbling skills, while he thinks she can always work on understanding whether to shoot from distance or attack.

Swanson believes that the senior will continue to improve and get better as she is able to spend more time playing.

"It's really exciting to think of her future because she didn't play year-round and wasn't on a club team," he explained. "I think she'll have a chance to focus a little more at the next level. Getting more touches and developing more of a soccer mentality will help her excel. She's a dominating player, but could become that much better."

Young should have that opportunity, as she plans to head to the University of Utah to play soccer and run track.

"I'm still getting everything finalized, but I'm really excited about going up there," she said.

Her high school coach said his only advice as she moves on is for her to keep her perspective.

"I'm going to tell her to enjoy it and have fun," he said. "You need to work hard, but also to enjoy it along the way. It's a great experience and something to look forward to. When you do that, you're more willing to work, and that translates into being a better player."

Young said that having the seniors come out after the last 4A semifinal was a "last goodbye" and very emotional, since it indicated the end of her high school soccer career.

"It's a little weird because in a way it feels like I'm abandoning something," she said. "But I'm glad I get the chance to keep playing and I plan on coming to some games next year."

She will be taking with her some great memories from her time playing the sport, particularly from the 2008 season, as the Red Devils achieved some of the their biggest goals.

"We had a lot more teamwork and everyone did what was best for the team," she said. "We had fun and had a really good year."

The senior recommends that young soccer players follow that strategy and also stay positive.

"Sometimes when things get tough, players put their heads down," she explained. "You've got to keep your head up and keep playing hard. It will pay off eventually."

• Jared Lloyd can be reached at jlloyd@heraldextra.com.

2008 ALL-VALLEY GIRLS SOCCER TEAM

• Valley Player of the Year: Natalie Young, Sr. F, Springville

• Offensive MVP: Angelica Dickson, Jr. F, Timpanogos

She is one of those players that always has a way of getting to the ball near the opponent's goal and making things happen. She scored 26 goals and set up numerous others with her ability to see the field and put the ball in the right place.

• Defensive MVP: Kami Montgomery, Sr., Lone Peak

Her leadership extended beyond the back line, where she was the bane of opposing forwards. She gave the offense a lift with her free kicks and could score when the opportunity presented itself.

• Best Keeper: Briar Sands, Jr., Lehi

Sands was a human vacuum cleaner behind a talented team. Her 11 shutouts were a big factor in Lehi's success this season, and she still has another year to play.

• 5A Coach of the Year: Brett Bergholm, Lehi

Bergholm spread his can-do attitude to his players, refusing to let the four-year transition from 3A to 5A become an excuse for failure. His team beat two of the 5A semifinalists during the region season.

• 4A Coach of the Year: Ryan Swanson, Springville

He led the Red Devils to the top of Region 7, then took them past the first round of the 4A tournament, something that had seemed to be a hex for Springville. They reached the semifinals before finally bowing out.

All-Valley Team

• Kyleigh Royall, Jr. MF, Lehi

Powerful and sure-footed, she was a factor to be reckoned with on both sides of the ball.

• Alyssa Hill, Sr. F, Lehi

A standout from a strong team, she aided the offense even when she wasn't the scorer.

• Marissa Nimmer, So. F, Timpanogos

A talented scorer who put in 17 goals for the T'Wolves.

• Shelby Murray, Sr. D, Timpanogos

Spearheaded the backline for a defense that improved all season.

• Whitney Fuller, Sr. D, American Fork

She helped protect her inexperienced goalkeepers and sparked offensive runs as well.

• Lora Katzenbach, Sr. F, Lone Peak

Speedy striker forced opposing defenses to account for her all the time, creating opportunities for others.

• Reannon King, Sr. D, Lone Peak

Hard-nosed defender made scoring tough for opposing wings.

• Maggie Plothow, Jr. MF, Orem

The glue in the middle, she did everything for the Tigers, whether it was pushing up on offense or helping the defense.

• Tanisia Wilson, Sr. F, Orem

The lone senior on the Tiger squad, her leadership and scoring were invaluable.

• Vanessa Johnson, Jr. D, Springville

The organizer of a solid defense all season long.

• Sadie Clements, Sr. GK, Springville

A gifted keeper that knew how to get to the right spots and make big saves.

• Amber Wadsworth, Sr. F, Provo

Led Class 4A with 24 goals on the season.

• Shalayne Janis, Sr. MF, Mountain View

Her creativity and awareness made the Bruins tough to beat.

• Stefani Solarzano, So. F, Mountain View

Her speed and goal-scoring ability forced defenses to always focus on where she was.

Honorable Mention

American Fork: Kaycee Mansfield, Nikki Ybarra, Amy Krommenhoek, Kylie Dibb

Lehi: Paige Ituma, Jada Muse, Lindsay Judd, Emily Fox, Makelle Yates, Dylan Downs

Lone Peak: Raven King, Carissa Henley, Megan Smith, Kate Brunsdale, Kaitlin Seeley, Katie Lohner

Mountain View: Abbey Cotant, Amy Cotant, Anjie Lines, Aja Domingo, Arielle Harrison, Chelsea Kocherhans

Orem: Jenna Bowen, Steinia Dort, Hilary Smith, Kaci McNeil, Kristen Mella

Payson: Audrey Moffatt, Katelyn Bateman

Pleasant Grove: Kourtney Dinehart, Rachael Montoya, Marci Johnson, Kaitlyn Waters, Hayley Stembridge

Provo: Whitney Hoopes, Sepi Ika, Katie Liston, Hillary Jarman, Jessie Andersen

Salem Hills: Lindsay Stevens, Storie Brockbank, Hailey Ingram

Spanish Fork: Jennifer Youd, Courtney Acosta

Springville: Lexi Eaton, Chase Joyner, Brianna Blackwell, Kaylie Marchbanks, Autumn Woods, Kim Stratford, Brandi Hillock

Timpanogos: Alexa Anderson, Malerie Jaramillo, Shelby McKell, Shelby Bruning, Jessie Beck, McKenzie Adams

Timpview: Kimmy Bramble, Laura Sudweeks, Chanel Arts