Relentless: Intense effort earns Timpanogos girls soccer big win at Orem
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- Timpanogos senior keeper Emily Begero makes a key save during the Region 8 game at Orem High on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.
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- Timpanogos players celebrate with freshman Madisyn Searle (left) after she scored a goal during the Region 8 game at Orem High on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.
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- Orem senior Mylie Louder (left) battles Timpanogos senior Mckenna Currey for the ball during the Region 8 game at Orem High on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.
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- Orem senior Sanvanah Woodbury (3) passes the ball during the Region 8 game against Timpanogos at Orem High on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.
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- Timpanogos junior Izzy Pierce (2) collects the ball during the Region 8 game at Orem High on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.
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- Timpanogos players celebrate with junior Izzy Pierce (far right) after she scored a goal during the Region 8 game at Orem High on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.
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- Orem freshman Ruby Woodbury (1) kicks the ball during the Region 8 game against Timpanogos at Orem High on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.
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- Timpanogos senior Mallia Jessop (left) talks to Orem senior Hannah Sherril after the Region 8 game at Orem High on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.
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- Orem senior Mylie Louder (left) dribbles the ball up the field during the Region 8 game against Timpanogos at Orem High on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.
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- Timpanogos players celebrate with senior Haley Hutchins (left) after she scored a goal during the Region 8 game at Orem High on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.
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- Timpanogos freshman Madisyn Searle (18) shoots a shot during the Region 8 game at Orem High on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.
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- Orem sophomore Viviana Dowler kicks the ball during the Region 8 game against Timpanogos at Orem High on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.
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- Timpanogos senior Malia Jessop (13) dribbles up the field during the Region 8 game at Orem High on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.
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- Orem freshman Claire Bradley brings the ball down during the Region 8 game against Timpanogos at Orem High on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.
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- Timpanogos players celebrate with freshman Madisyn Searle (second from left) after she scored a goal during the Region 8 game at Orem High on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.
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- Orem sophomore keeper Sydney Hansen kicks the ball during the Region 8 game against Timpanogos at Orem High on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.
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- Orem sophomore Isabel Woodruff dribbles the ball up the field during the Region 8 game against Timpanogos at Orem High on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.
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- Orem senior Mylie Louder watches a throw-in during the Region 8 game at Orem High on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.
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- Orem senior Abby Egbert (28) kicks the ball during the Region 8 game against Timpanogos at Orem High on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.
Sometimes being relentless on a soccer field is all about never giving up and giving your all, but it can also describe being mentally prepared no matter what.
The Timpanogos girls soccer team demonstrated both characteristics in Thursday’s big Region 8 rivalry game at Orem, which was why the Timberwolves steamrolled to the 3-0 win.
“What I saw today was the team that we’ve known we’ve had all along, which was a team that showed up and played for each other,” Timpanogos assistant coach Natalyn Lewis said. “We were double teaming all over the place. When we made a mistake, another teammate had that teammate’s back. When somebody missed a pass or we lost possession of the ball, we had someone sprinting from the other side of the field to cover for their teammate. It’s hard to beat a team that’s going to play like that. It was awesome.”
But while there were dozens — maybe hundreds — of examples of relentless hustle from the Timberwolves, the best showcase of mental relentlessness came from Timpanogos senior keeper Emily Begero.
Since the T’Wolf defense was playing well, Begero had barely even had the ball come her way throughout the first half. She had, however, gotten to celebrate with freshman Madisyn Searle after Searle drilled a beautiful shot into the back of the net from long range to put the visitors in front.
But with the final seconds before halftime ticking off the clock, Orem earned a free kick near the top of the Timpanogos penalty box. It turned into a confusing rush as the Tigers desperately took a chance on goal, hoping to tie things up.
“I was trying to get my wall up and shifted when I saw their forward take a step back and shoot it,” Begero said. “From watching other games, I knew she was going to shoot it.”
The shot was a good one, high and drifting toward the far post. But despite not having been called on to make many saves, Begero was ready for this one.
“I just had to get it off the post and make the save for my team,” Begero said. “I had to have my team’s back.”
Her leaping deflection kept Timpanogos in front as the buzzer for halftime sounded, preventing Orem from getting some key momentum going into the break.
“Emily’s save was outstanding,” Lewis said. “She’s been a great keeper for us all season but that was unbelievable.”
Begero shrugged off any praise, saying that’s the type of save she expects herself to make. But she was glad, however, to get the job done.
The Timberwolves kept in high gear after half time, getting a goal from junior Izzy Pierce and another from senior Haley Hutchins to put the game away.
It’s been a wacky few games for Timpanogos recently, forcing the T’Wolves to deal with some unforeseen circumstances.
“This was an important game because of where everything’s stacking up,” Lewis said. “The region’s all over the place, and standings are all over the place, but I think it was just important for them to know that they can come together.”
Timpanogos had a game at Mountain View pushed to a second day because of a lightning delay, then had Tuesday’s game at Provo delayed because of technical problems with the lights on the field.
“It’s been a little frustrating as a player,” Begero said. “We had to play three straight day because of the lightning at Mountain View and that’s hard. We were nervous that they would have to cancel this game because of all the smoke.”
One of the hardest situations to deal with was for Timberwolf head coach Robyn Bretzing who had a death in her family right before her son’s wedding and thus wasn’t present at Thursday’s game.
“We all knew she was here in spirit,” Begero said. “I think everyone had their own thoughts of Robyn as we played this game.”
She said that while there is plenty to be pleased with in the team’s performance, the next step is making sure everyone comes ready to play in every single game.
Timpanogos (7-1, 3-1) will next finish the game at Provo on Sept. 17, while Orem (6-4, 4-1) next plays at Mountain View on Sept. 19.
Both games are scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
