NORTHWEST WOMEN'S SOCCER RETURNS WITH LOADED ROSTER

BY SETH ROMSA TRIBUNE SPORTS WRITER
Courtesy of the Powell Tribune

After an improved 2021 campaign, the 2022 edition of the NWC Trapper women's soccer team will include a roster split in half between strong returnees and talented incoming freshmen.

The Trappers kicked off practice on Aug. 1, where the sophomore class has shown strong leadership in the early days.

"That is the big difference this year is having sophomores there," coach Rob Hill said. "Last year we had a few sophomores, but this year half the team is sophomores and they have stepped up to be leaders."

He said that the sophomores' abilities and training levels after their experience as freshmen.

With a strong sophomore group showing growth from last year, he said that has allowed the freshmen to come into the program with ease.

Mixing the strong returning sophomores along with a talented freshman class, Hill believes the team's depth has improved from last year — something he felt the team needed.

Last year Hill felt the team may have been overworked towards the end of the season — causing a drop-off in play due to the team not having enough depth.

He hopes that this season the team will be able to bring in players off the bench to keep a deeper rotation while still maintaining a high level of play.

One player that Hill said has made a leap from her freshman season is Zoey Bonner, who has come back as a "new player" and almost feels like a new signing for the team after recovering fully from previous injuries.

The season starts out tough for the Trappers, heading on the road to take on four-year colleges to help challenge the team.

"The four-year schools will be tough and physical," Hill said. "It is a true welcome to college soccer, but I feel it is a good test for the players to see what it is about. I think they will adjust well, they are a talented team."

The Trappers will be pushed into those difficult games this week, with the first action of the season beginning on Wednesday in Billings.

After Northwest takes on Rocky Mountain in Billings, the team will continue the trip to Great Falls, Montana, in order to take on the University of Providence on Thursday.

The busy week wraps up on Saturday, when NWC returns to Billings to take on Montana State University Billings.

Hill is not concerned about results, especially early on, while hoping to get the team to gel heading into the conference season.

He hopes to take the next step with the team, pushing towards a deeper postseason run after a disappointing exit from last year's postseason play.