• Star Valley hosting Rock Springs Friday with matches beginning at 4 p.m.
On paper, it’s been a tough season for the Lady Braves who are still searching for their first win of the campaign on the season’s final weekend. But Coach Jessica Bagley doesn’t really talk about the wins and losses for the 2025 squad when asked to evaluate her squad.
“I am incredibly blessed to be a part of the team this year and to coach the most unified team in have ever seen throughout my athletic career,” she replied.
Star Valley (0-12) hosts Rock Springs this Friday afternoon with a varsity start time of 4 p.m. It will be the final home match of the year and a play-in contest against Evanston (2-10) next week will determine whether the Lady Braves get to compete at the 4A West Regionals in Green River next weekend.
Bagley spoke about the resilience of a squad with two seniors and mostly freshman starting on the varsity squad.
“As you’ve seen the scores and especially for soccer, how easy it would be to give up,” Bagley continued. “These girls continue to make inspiring progress. Friday we went to Riverton and it was our fifth game in eight days. And nearly the whole team plays three halves each game. So really thats about six to seven games played.”
Last week in particular included a home match against perennial title contender Jackson, followed by a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Evanston, followed by a 6-0 loss on the road in Riverton, a total of three matches in four days. On top of that, the team has been without standout junior keeper Cara Andrews who is dealing with an injury.
“We had a rocky week feeling a little unfocused in some matches and then we played a hot game in Riverton and the girls were focused and played really well” Bagley added. “Bella Beck has been an outstanding back up keeper for Cara for the past week and she has passion and natural abilities! We look forward to her development.”
The match in Riverton turned out to be about a lot more than soccer.
“It was Riverton’s cancer awareness night and they were making donations for this family,” Bagley continued. “On corner kicks they would send their goalie up to shoot. We soon found out a business was going to donate $1,500 to this family. In the very last minute they allowed us to sub on a corner, my sub went in and told our team to let the goalie score, we were down and the game was over at this point. Riverton had a great ball and the goalie hit her mark. My team cheered along with Riverton as the donation was made. I am so proud of the class that my girls have each and every game. From teams with poor sportsmanship, to big losses, to supporting those in need… these girls are well rounded with mental toughness and integrity. But not only that are very talented and skilled. I feel they are the most well rounded team to come through the program. And I am so excited to see the growth.”
On Friday, the team will face Rock Springs with two seniors, Kenna Merritt and Kumarii McCormick putting on their shinguards for the last time at Braves Field in a varsity match. Bagley hopes people will come support the team and two players who have stuck it out through a challenging career.
“I hope everyone can come watch them before the season is over. Because they are a fun group to watch,” she concluded. I anticipate after all our games and meeting Rock Springs to end regular season we will be sure to give them a run for their money. I have two wonderful seniors [in[ Kenna and Kumari who will be playing their last home game Friday. They have worked hard for four years and really have grown as players and young women I invite everyone to come and support our team!”
