Timpview girls soccer continues hot streak with win against Maple Mountain
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- Timpview Coach Jame Pena addresses his team following their 2-0 win over Maple Mountain
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- Maple Mountain attempts a corner kick
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- Timpview celebrates following a goal score
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- Maple Mountain goalkeeper Anya Gulley
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- Timpview’s Leah Atuaia
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- Timpview attempts a kick on goal during its 2-0 win over Maple Mountain
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- Timpview controlled possession throughout its 2-0 win over Maple Mountain
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- Timpview’s Ava Badger races around a defender during her team’s 2-0 win over Maple Mountain
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- Timpview’s Ava Badger demonstrates some fancy footwork during her team’s 2-0 win over the Golden Eagles
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- Maple Mountain attempts a shot during Tuesday’s 2-0 loss to Timpview
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- Maple Mountain’s Arie Bunce reverses direction vs Timpview
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- Maple Mountain’s Sophie Sandberg throws the ball into play during Tuesday’s loss to Timpview
Timpview girls soccer is receiving key contributions from its most senior personnel, bright young freshmen and everything in between. The result has been a torrid eight-game winning streak en route to a 9-1 start to the season to earn it prime position at the midway point of Region 7 play.
The Thunderbirds haven’t dropped a match since taking a tight 3-2 loss to Snow Canyon back on August 7 and polished off their eighth-straight win with a 2-0 win over Maple Mountain on Tuesday.
“The girls are really starting to get and connect, and they’re really bought into what they want this season,” said Timpview Coach James Pena. “Tonight’s game just reflects the strides all of them have made and I’m very happy with how we performed.”
The Golden Eagles have a proud soccer history and gave Timpview all it could handle throughout most of the match, and perhaps particularly during the first few minutes of the second half. The Thunderbirds had several scoring opportunities thrown at them right after the break, but were able to withstand all of them due to a stellar backend defense and several key saves made by Amaya Tolman.
Timpview was finally able to place the ball in the back of the net during the game’s 60th minute courtesy of young freshman Naomi Ojuka.
“She’s been doing fantastic and this isn’t the first time she’s been able to do that for us,” Pena said of Ojuka, whose four goals scored this season has her tied for second on the team. “She’s been amazing all year round as she’s learned from our seniors and worked hard to be a big contributor for us.”
Just under three minutes later it was the senior’s turn with team leader Ellie Robertson ripping a shot from about 20 yards out just under the crossbar and into the back of the net to give the Thunderbirds a 2-0 lead.
“I haven’t gotten as many goals this season as I’ve wanted, so that one felt really good,” Robertson said. “I got the pass back, saw the open goal and I’m left-f0oted, so it was really a perfect setup for me to kick that through with my left foot.”
Tuesday’s goal scored in Tuesday’s win was her third of the season and it was well-earned, considering the play and leadership she’s provided for her team throughout the season so far.
“She means everything for this team with her presence, her work ethic and her attitude,” Pena said of Robertson. “She definitely is the role model everyone looks to on our team and having her leading everything we do has been a huge thing for us this season.”
True to form, Robertson was as excited about Ojuka’s goal as she was of her own on Tuesday.
“It doesn’t matter how old you are, if you show up and play you can do whatever you set your mind to, and that’s what Naomi has done this year,” Robertson said. “She’s done great this season and she’s a big part of our success.”
“She has the speed. She has the strength and she has the endurance,” Pena added about Ojuka. “But more importantly she has the will, the attitude and the drive to be a great player. She listens and she takes in everything we talk about.”
As mentioned, Timpview improves to 9-1 on the season and is in prime position to take the Region 7 crown with a 6-0 record in region play. As could well be imagined, spirits are high and optimism abounds as the team moves forward to the final eight games of the regular season and the state playoffs.
“We’ve been having a really great season and every game everyone has come out with an energy and intensity that I feel like is unmatched,” Robertson said. “We’re working for each other, our backline is super solid and I’m just really proud of everyone and how it’s all come together.”
Next up for the Thunderbirds is a game at home versus Pleasant Grove on Thursday. As for Maple Mountain, it falls to 4-7 overall and 3-4 with the loss, and will look to rebound when taking on both Pleasant Grove and Salem Hills at home next week.
