Although soccer games just started this week, the Lehi Pioneers are taking advantage of the time and working on their program. Last year they made it as far as the quarterfinals before being eliminated by Viewmont. This year they are hoping to take things a little further.

"We have a lot of seniors returning this season and I'm feeling good about the team dynamics," coach Steve McMurty said.

The defense is where Lehi is looking strong. Senior Riley Anderson returns as Lehi's goalkeeper. Anderson's ability to block shots and direct the defense was one of the major reasons Lehi did well last season. Kyler Fisher has great technical ability and McMurty said he is another player who leads the defense well.

"Our strength on this team is our ability to attack and they have a lot of creativity in their play, which makes defending them hard," McMurty said.

Along with the good, Lehi is also struggling with several injuries on some of the players who have a lot of varsity time. Ben Preisendorf is recovering from a hip injury and McMurty hopes he will be back in the line up soon. Andrew Lifferth's condition is more serious. He had a severe head injury several months ago and McMurty said his return is up in the air at this point.

Lehi's back to Class 4A this season and also changed region but McMurty said it will be a good thing.

"A strong region will give us a good game each week, which will make us better," he said.

American Fork

After last season's disappointing finish, the Cavemen are taking a look at what happened last year and how they can make sure the same mistakes don't get made again. They struggled with consistency and found themselves winning against tough teams like Lehi but then losing games against weaker opponents.

"Early in the season, the boys are looking good," coach Barkley Chile said. "We are very young but we've got some talented players."

Junior Dallin Fuller played last season, and his passing ability improved in the offseason. Also a junior, goalkeeper Jared Hale will play a big part of the Cavemen's defense. Hale is able to read the field well and knows when to attack a player and when to let his defenders take care of it.

American Fork's strength lies in its midfield section. Caleb Lundle, Fuller, Caleb Garlick, and Jordan Jacklinn play club soccer together during the offseason and know how to play well together. Jacklinn is starting for the fourth year, and Chile said he is one of the best fighters on the field. When he sets his mind to get the ball, he does.

"Last season we had trouble finishing games and scoring. If we are going to win games we need to have higher expectations," he said.