Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Morning News
Waterford Dominates RHSM
by Michael Black, Deseret News
The Ravens were semifinalists in the 3A classification a year ago. It took a couple of years for coach Tim Dolbin and the athletic department to build the program to be able to compete at that level, but that is exactly where the program stands, ready to compete at the 3A level. Unfortunately for Dolbin and the rest of the team, they will not get the chance to play for the 3A title.
The formation of a 2A/1A soccer league this season has just about guaranteed Waterford a state championship. The Ravens are head-and-shoulders above the other seven schools playing in the classification. They went out and proved that point with a 6-0 win over Rowland Hall Thursday afternoon.
"I think Rowland Hall still may be the second best team in the classification," said Dolbin. "I don't know that scores will matter to the people that make the decisions, but we will not stop trying to let them know that we want to be back where we belong— playing in 3A."
It was clear from the beginning Waterford was playing at a different level. It took two minutes for returning all-state midfielder Nicole Taylor to make that point as she scored from the right corner of the penalty area on a right foot blast off the back post and into the net after being set up by Jackie Tillotson.
Taylor had nearly an instant replay in the 10th minute. Tillotson again assisted from nearly the same spot, the only difference being the placement of the shot as it went to the top right corner. She completed her true hat trick five minutes later with a header coming from a corner kick taken by Kimi Miyashima.
"Nicole is an amazing player," said Dolbin. "She is finally fully healthy this year, and when she is healthy she is one of the best around. She is coachable, a great leader and she works really hard."
The second half continued in much the same manner. If possible, Waterford may have dominated even more. Waterford's keeper did not even touch the ball in the second half, and the Ravens controlled possession at least 75-percent of the time. It is the style that Dolbin likes to employ.
"We like to keep the ball and move it around quickly and cleanly," he said.
The style worked as Waterford added three second-half goals as Gina Soto netted one, Taylor scored her fourth, and Tillotson added one on a Soto assist. It was a dominant performance for a team that is looking for ways to stay motivated.
"We still have four games left with bigger schools," Dolbin said about continuing to play bigger opponents— Waterford is 3-0 against 3A schools, 0-2 against 4A and 1-0 vs. 5A. "We still have some big games, and we do want to win the title, but we know where we belong."