Head coach for the Wood River High School varsity girls' soccer team Greg Gvosdas has a lot to be excited about for the 2008-09 soccer season. He has eight seniors on the team, compared to last season's three, and the girls are gunning for a 4A state championship.
Last year, the team finished with a winning record of 12-5-1, taking home the 4A state consolation and ranking fourth in the state.
The team has always been a force to be reckoned with. Over the past 15 seasons, it has had a winning record with 187 wins, 51 losses and 23 ties. But Gvosdas has reason to believe that this season could be even better.
This year, the team had 47 girls try out, the largest number ever. Of the 47, 23 made varsity and 19 made junior varsity. Of the eight seniors, two are the team's leading scorers: Aimee Evans and Sam Johnson. Over the past three seasons, Evans has racked up a total of 51 goals while Johnson has made 40.
The team also has six incoming freshmen, which will not only give the program longevity but also more speed. Gvosdas said the freshmen are just incredible athletes with fabulous endurance.
"I really can't take credit for making them faster," Gvosdas said. "They are just good athletes."
The season kicks off Saturday with a game against Skyview. Last season, Skyview was second in the state.
Gvosdas acknowledged that Saturday's game would be a strong contest. Not only is Skyview a state champion contender, but two of Skyview's players have already verbally committed to play for Boise State next fall.
Yet he also thinks the Wood River team has a real chance to take home a 4A state title, which would be its first-ever 4A championship.
"This season, we are in the hunt for a state championship," Gvosdas said. "We have a big senior class that has been around for a while and I think they would really like to go out on top."
