On a rare rainy day in Hailey, Wood River High School girls' varsity soccer players had sunny smiles on their faces after Saturday's decisive 4-0 non-conference victory over the previously undefeated 5A Highland Rams from Pocatello.
Firing on all cylinders from the outset, Wood River scored three goals in the first 12 minutes and finished the 40-minute first half with a commanding 4-0 lead. Strong defense and alert goalkeeping preserved the lead in the second half at soggy South Valley Sports Complex.
Sophomore Tanner Dredge (2 goals, 21 season, 35 career) scored two goals and seniors Aimee Evans and Sam Johnson added one apiece for Hailey. Sophomore goalkeeper Madison Gove (11 saves) was tested by the Rams and came up big.
"It was a good win for us," said Hailey coach Greg Gvozdas. His once-beaten team avenged its only loss, 1-0 in Pocatello Aug. 26. "Our fast start put us in a good spot. We definitely needed to show up today, and we definitely wanted to play a full game against a good team. And we did that."
Not only did Wood River hand #3-ranked 5A Highland (7-1-2) its first regular-season loss in two seasons, it was Hailey's first-ever girls' soccer victory over Highland in six meetings. Indeed, in the first half alone, Wood River scored more goals (4) than in its previous five games played against the Rams.
Fifth-year coach Gvozdas earned his 70th victory and the 16-year Wood River soccer program chalked up its 196th win.
It was a hard-fought game, Highland out-shooting Wood River 13-10. The opportunistic Wolverines just made good on their few good scoring chances.
Senior co-captain Evans (12 goals season, 63 career) drilled a shot into the top corner in the first minute, capitalizing on hard work by freshman Megan Morrell. When Highland's Taryn Harding took speedy Morrell down inside the midfield stripe, defenseman Sam Johnson lined up a direct kick.
Johnson just nailed her very long direct kick, taken just 15 yards off midfield. She pounded the ball off the crossbar and across the goal line for a 2-0 Wood River lead at 10 minutes. It was Johnson's fourth goal of the season, 44th of her career.
Highland goalkeeper Ciara Carrington, making only her third start in place of injured keeper Hailey Stephens, was stunned after having an easy time blanking Minico 8-0 Thursday and playing Century to a 0-0 draw Sept. 16 in Pokey.
<
She was more stunned when Dredge, with a burst of speed, split the Rams defense and raced into the box for a left-footed goal and 3-0 lead at 12 minutes. Later, at 34 minutes, Evans made a through pass to Dredge, who took a dribble and went head-to-head with Carrington. Dredge won that clash.
Goalkeeper Gove was solid as a rock all game, but she had some help. Highland's Kara Wadsworth hit the crossbar after a corner kick in the first half. Stephanie Holman (3 goals at Minico) drove a ball over the net after a second-half corner.
Preserving the shutout, Hailey's sixth in 10 games, Gove made a solid save on Megan Wagner's free kick at 67 minutes. Gvozdas said, "Our backline (Laura Elgee, Makayla Cappel and Johnson) and Madison did a good job. Madison has matured quite a bit."
The coach added that Evans played very well in the midfield where Wood River dominated.
Wood River (9-1-0, 3-0-0 league), ranked first in the Idahosports.com 4A girls' soccer rankings ahead of Bishop Kelly, Hillcrest, Preston and Skyview, played Minico (2-9-1, 1-2-0 league) Tuesday at Rupert. The Wolverines won an earlier Great Basin Conference West meeting 12-0 in Hailey.
Next up is the Homecoming game against 5A #2-ranked Twin Falls (7-3-1) Thursday, Sept. 25 at 4 p.m. on upper soccer field across from the Phil Homer football stadium.
The Bruins are coming off two shutouts, 6-0 at home over Burley last Thursday and 2-0 at The Community School Friday. Wood River prevailed 4-2 in Twin Falls Aug. 28, starting its eight-game winning streak.
Wood River resumes its heated rivalry with Hillcrest of Idaho Falls (7-2-0) Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 4 p.m. in Hailey.
The Wolverines have a score to settle, having lost their last two games against Hillcrest including last October's State 4A opener in Pocatello 2-1. Coach Dave Coffman's Knights have lost 4-0 to Century, but have beaten Jerome 12-3.
Wood River senior defender Makayla Cappel clears the ball during Saturday’s 4-0- home victory over the Highland Rams from Pocatello, at South Valley Sports Complex soccer field in Hailey.
Photo by Willy Cook
