Timpview soccer team appears strong

Over the years the Mountain View Bruins have not only ruled Utah County girls soccer but they have also won three consecutive state championships and finished first or second seven of the past 10 years.

Now, after losing seven girls to Division I schools and nine senior starters, Mountain View coach Mike LaHargoue feels this year is a rebuilding year for his team.

"We are coming back to reality now," LaHargoue said. "We had such high expectations that we created, it almost wasn't fun at times. Now it is like we are starting over. We are not the same team we have been the last 10 years."

So who will be the team to beat in Utah County?

LaHargoue feels Timpview will carry the mantle as the best team in the valley this year.

"The bull's-eye is off our chest and on Timpview this year, at least in the valley," LaHargoue said. "Jessica Harmon is the best player, and she has a nice supporting cast to go along with her."

This year Timpview coach Jim Davis returns 11 players who played significant minutes on last year's team. Davis also said his team has a combined 80 games of playoff experience.

"That goes a long ways," Davis said. "These girls have something burning I haven't seen in a while."

Here is a closer look at all 12 schools in the valley.

Since 1993 Timpview has won the Region 6 championship every year but once.

This year the T-Birds will look to add another region championship with Harmon, the best player in the valley as a junior, and possibly the best defender in Emily Boshard. Along with Boshard, seniors Carly Runia, Joanne Crowe and Megan Frischknecht have all started since their freshman year.

The teams that will look to give Timpview a run for the top spot in Region 6 are Springville and Provo. Provo's top goal scorer Jana Davis, who scored 24 goals last year, will miss most of the preseason with a fractured leg.

Despite the loss of Mckenzie Joyner to the University of Utah, Springville coach Mikelle Roth still has solid players in Brooke Schaertl and Jamie Hatfield. Karissa Henage will be one of four freshmen who will see significant minutes.

Payson earned the fourth playoff spot in Region 6 last year and with the majority of its team juniors Lions coach Lee Gilley hopes to see his team make a run for third place in Region 6. Key players returning for Payson is leading scorer Robyn Peterson and goalkeeper Kira Lazenby.