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Highland's April Owens knows every Region 6 girls' soccer game is going to be a battle. The senior goalkeeper said advancing far into the playoffs means defeating regional rivals East, Clearfield and Woods Cross and not taking any other teams lightly.
Hosting Cyprus, Highland attacked early and often for the 8-0 victory Thursday. With seven players finding the back of the net, Owens said that the Rams are finding their stride at the right time of the season. She likes her offenses ability to close out games and to shut down opponents.
"We are really good at staying calm under pressure, playing out the sides and playing man-on-man," she said. "I feel like we've gotten a lot better as the season has progressed."
Sophomore Emma Thornton might be the difference maker for the Rams. The speedy forward fed four passes that resulted in goals and scored once. Coach Brad Kooyman said Thornton's ability to see the entire field and make crucial pass has been a great addition for the team.
"She is fantastic. Emma just works, works and works," Kooyman said. "A lot of the time we're trying to get the ball to her because she sees the field so incredibly well."
Thornton plays similar to a point guard in that she took risks to feed the ball to players. All four of her assists came with open looks at the net with Thornton making the last pass for the guaranteed goal.
"She plays very aggressive and unselfishly," Kooyman said. "In a region with so much talent, she makes the players around her better."
Owens recorded her fifth shutout on the year. Not challenged much by the Pirates, Owens used her towering punts that drop by the oppositions goal box as a first wave attack.
"It's great having April being able to be apart of the offense," Kooyman said. "She works very hard to be a good keeper and team leader."
Highland travels to Woods Cross on Thursday to avenge a 4-2 loss in the beginning of the season. —
Storylines
O Emma Thornton tallies four assists and a goal.
• April Owens makes five saves to record her fifth shutout on the season.
• Lula Lloyd scores twice during the first half.