The Spectrum Article (10-14-2009)

Turning the corner

ST. GEORGE - In years past, the Snow Canyon girls' soccer program rarely carried the notoriety of a winner.

So when Ken Kunde took over the reigns eight seasons ago, the rebuilding phase officially began.
Although it took time, familiar losing campaigns - like a forgettable 3-10 mark in 2001 - are now a thing of the past.
The Warriors have turned the corner, reeling off three straight .500 or better seasons, with this year's 9-4-3 mark this decade's best finish, and Tuesday's 1-0 first round win over Maple Mountain in the first round of the 4A state playoffs is another stepping stone.
"We're very pleased with where our program's at," Kunde said. "The girls' work ethic is probably one of the biggest differences ... They work so hard in the offseason to be ready for games like these."
The Warriors' sideline leader added the team has helped better prepare up-and-coming players from the community. Thus, when they arrive to play varsity ball, they're not overwhelmed.
No better example than sophomore Cecilee Horlacher who kicked in the game-winning goal with 1:54 left to play in the first half.
The midfielder doesn't look like an underclassman, nor does her play on the field. On the game-winning kick, Horlacher showed poise and control.
Senior and team leader Liz Ricks took ball possession into Maple Mountain territory down the left sideline. Horlacher - with just three goals on the season prior - then spaced herself, spun away from her defender, and proceeded towards the penalty box.
The crisp pass left the sophomore one-on-one with Golden Eagles goalkeeper Kara Betts, where eventually the ball had enough zip to go underneath her block attempt.
"It's really exciting," said Horlacher of her first playoff goal. "We expected them (Maple Mountain) to be very good, like any playoff team. But we came in focused, aggressive, and wanting the win."
Snow Canyon controlled the ball and tempo for most of the contest, which is critical against a Golden Eagles offense that came in averaging 3.6 goals per game.
Although standout forward Baylee Nielsen put fear into the Warriors defense with physical play and a never-quit attitude, she rarely had clean looks at the goal.
Warriors goal-keeper Kylie Moore earned the shutout.
The win marks Snow Canyon's first postseason win since 2006. They will hope to keep it going against either Lehi or Olympus on Thursday.