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Cottonwood Heights Journal

Consistent Skyline girls soccer team looking to continue strong play

Sep 07, 2018 01:58PM ● By Jana Klopsch

By Josh McFadden | [email protected]           

With the high school girls soccer season underway, there are a few things you can count on. One is that the Skyline Eagles will make a run in the state tournament.           

Skyline has advanced to the playoffs in each of Head Coach Yamil Castillo’s first eight seasons. The veteran coach sees no reason why this season should be any different.           

“I told the girls if they stay focused, and if they’re prepared, we can get to the (state) finals,” Castillo said. “It’s an incredible feeling; we want to participate in that again.”           

Skyline is coming off a 13-3-2 season, including a 7-2-1 mark in Region 6 play. The Eagles tied for the region title with East and then lost in the state quarterfinals to Timpview 1-0. It was Skyline’s earliest postseason in Castillo’s tenure. The Eagles were undefeated late in the season but went 0-2-1 in their final three regular season games.           

Castillo said he and his players are using last season’s late shortcomings as motivation this year.  

“It was a humbling experience; it was a wake-up call,” he said. “I told the girls they have to be competitive and always ready to come and give it their best shot. Anytime we play a team, they play their best game. We have to be mentally prepared every game.”           

The Eagles got off to a hot start this season, winning their first two games in lopsided fashion. Skyline defeated Park City 5-2 on Aug. 7 in the season opener and then blew away Fremont two days later, 7-1. Zoe Garver scored twice in game one, while Ella Kortbawi tallied four goals against Fremont.           

Castillo was impressed with his forwards in the first two games and is excited to see what they can do throughout the year. He’s particularly high on senior Cassidy Orr, who led Class 5A in scoring last season. She had two goals against Fremont and one against Park City.          

“Our front line is going to be amazing,” he said. “Every year, we get reloaded with speedy forwards. (Orr) looks even better this season.           

Castillo also praised his midfielders, but admitted that his defense “needs some work.” However, he’s confident that unit will continue to improve.           

“Once they’re clicking, they should be good,” he said.           

The Eagles are loaded at the goalkeeper position. Kate Nelson and Lucy Peterson are vying for the position. Castillo also said he has a sophomore in the program who has experience at a high level in club play.           

Castillo is eager to see what his team is made of. On Aug. 21, the team faces Corner Canyon, followed by another tough test against defending Class 5A runner-up Maple Mountain on Aug. 23. Those two challenges will lead right into region action, where Castillo knows the stakes get much higher.           

“Were going to find out if we’re real or not,” he said. “There’s even more pressure when it comes to region. It’s going to be feisty competition. We have to prepare.”