The Star Valley Braves soccer team opens up their 2024 campaign on the fields of Rock Springs this Friday and Saturday as they take on the Evanston Red Devils and the Cheyenne South Bison.
The Braves, who have qualified for the State tournament for the past three seasons will be looking to keep that streak going and return a good crop of experienced players that should help make that a reality.
“We’re excited about this year,” replied head coach Trevor Spencer. “We had more kids try out for the boys team that we’ve ever had. We hate making cuts; it’s a hard thing to do but it was good to see so many boys interested. We’re excited that we’re getting bigger in the valley.”
While last year’s team could be described as a younger crew, Spencer says this year’s team could be described as the opposite with a significant group of juniors and seniors.
“We’re kind of an older team so that’s a good thing,” he continued. “We have more experience and guys who can showcase their talents.”
Leading the way in returning players will be last year’s team captain, Bailey Kallgren who returns for his senior campaign.
“He will be an anchor in the midfield,” Spencer stated. He also pointed out what he feels will be a fast and effective defensive group.
“We have a good group of defenders,” he said. “A lot of speed. Jayden Crook and Kai Hendricks, Cooper McClure will be back there.”
The midfield will see Kaden Roberts as a staple and Kristoff Buehler, who showed off a big leg for the football team the past two seasons, will be at forward.
One consistent challenge for the annual switch to spring sports is the lingering snow in the valley and this year is no exception. Although diligent crews from Lincoln County School District No. 2 have been working on clearing the field for play for many weeks. The team will host Evanston next week in Afton at Braves Field in a conference match on Thursday March 21.
“The weather is challenging so we’ve only had a couple days of practicing outside,” Spencer added. “We are getting as much done as we can. We’re excited to get playing.”
Friday the teams will face Evanston in a non-conference match with the boys varsity and junior varsity playing at Rock Springs Junior High School at 1 and 3 p.m. respectively. The matches will consist of two, 40-minute halves with a ten-minute halftime. Sometimes early jamboree matches are shortened and on smaller fields. Spencer is glad that this weekend’s games will let his players stretch their legs a bit after being cooped up indoors.
“It’s hard to gauge your team when you are only playing half a game,” he said. “So we’re excited for this weekend.”
The team will face the Cheyenne South Bison on Saturday with early morning matches at 9 and 11 a.m. for the JV and varsity respectively. These matches will also be played at Rock Springs Junior High.
Then the team returns home for the match against Evanston. Star Valley has been known to have home matches in March but it has not been common. Spencer hopes fans will be there to support the teams.
“We typically haven’t had a lot of home games in March because of the snow so we’re excited to have one to start off the regular season,” he replied. “We have a bit of a rivalry with Evanston so we’re hopefully we’ll have a few people come out and watch.”
Varsity matches versus Evanston next Thursday will be at 3 and 5 p.m. for the girls and boys respectively.
