It took the Hillcrest High varsity girls’ soccer team a moment to gel, but now, they’re putting the checkmarks in the winning column.

“We’re young and inexperienced,” head coach Brett Davis said. “We have some key players injured, so it has been hard to get a rhythm, but we’ve been playing solid.”

One of those injured players is junior Ella Blackburn, who last season topped the leaderboard in goals and points scored and was second in assists for the team. She continues as a team leader, taking notes and sharing with other players, he said.

As of press deadline, the Huskies are on a three-game winning streak, outscoring Tooele, Cottonwood and Jordan high schools, earning the win in a shootout against the Beetdiggers.

After playing tough Corner Canyon and Bingham teams in early August, they made their first-ever overnight trip to St. George. There, they played competitive games against Crimson Cliffs, Desert Hills and Hurricane high schools.

“Some of those seniors on those opposing teams made us look like the seven dwarves; we are just tiny and are being bounced around, but we learned a thing or two,” Davis said. “Our freshman — we have four or five on the field all the time — are getting that field experience which will only make us stronger. It just took them a moment to get acclimated to the level of the game. They’re getting better in every game.”

As of midseason, junior Capri Perkins and freshman Serenity Lawlor are leading in goals on the team while senior Julissa Rodriguez is the assist leader.

Davis also complimentary of his keeper, senior Addy Back, one of five seniors on the team.  She’s already had a shutout this season.

“She’s incredible, one of the best in the state — boy or girl,” he said. “She has an incredible work ethic and a real vision and understanding for the game which she passes onto her teammates.”

Davis is hoping the Huskies continue their success on the pitch.

“If we pull out a few more wins,” he said, “we could be heading to the playoffs.” λ