Utah Valley's prep soccer should show well despite reclassification

The more things change the more they remain the same.

Several local girls soccer teams are welcoming new head coaches this season as well as new players and new systems, but the top teams are unchanged.

Timpanogos headlines the six Utah County teams moving up to 5A this year. Timberwolves new head coach Jeni Viernes might not make it through her entire first season with the team as she's expecting a baby in mid-September, but the Timberwolves return plenty of talent from last year's squad that went undefeated in the regular season.

"We definitely expect to win our region and to perform well," said Viernes. "We've got a few freshmen, and new players that we're trying to work in."

Defending region champion Springville looks to be on top of the teams remaining in 4A. The Red Devils return Crosby Joyner, one of the state's top scorers, and new head coach Ryan Swanson plans to emphasize his team's attacking by playing a 4-3-3 formation.

"I think we've got a team that can win, but it's early in the season and we're still gelling," said Swanson. "They're getting used to my scheme."

Both Lone Peak and American Fork picked up some impressive early season wins and should compete for playoff spots. The Knights have started the season with three straight wins under new head coach in Mike LaHargoue. LaHargoue has taken over after leaving the same job at Mountain View where he led the Bruins to a state championship in 2001 and several region championships.

Timpview has a young team, but coach Jim Davis has led his team to the state semifinals in four consecutive seasons, and a fifth is not out of the question.

"We're young," said Davis. "These girls believe in each other and they know what they have to get done. It's a long ways to the playoffs."

Here's a closer look at each of the local teams:

Region 4

TIMPANOGOS TIMBERWOLVES

Head coach: Jeni Viernes

Key players: Karley Nelson, Stacey Bartholomew, Noelle Sanders

Last season: First in Region 7, lost in state quarterfinals

Outlook: Nelson and Bartholomew should put plenty of goals in the back of the net for the T-Wolves who should be one of the better teams in the state.

2005 region prediction: First

LONE PEAK KNIGHTS