2018 Desert Oasis Girls Soccer Capsule

DESERT OASIS

League: Class 4A Desert

Head coach: Jared Ogden, third season

2017 record: 12-6-2 (10-2 Southwest/second)

Returning letter winners (starters): Eight (five)

Top athletes: F Endya Scott (Jr.), MF Audrey Dunn (Sr.), MF/F Alex Houston (So.), D/MF Bri Lane (Jr.), MF/F Mikayla Anderson (Jr.), D Kennedy Ficklin (Jr.), GK Samantha Gato (Jr.), MF Madison Montellano (Sr.)

Outlook: The Diamondbacks bring back eight letter winners from a team that finished second in the Southwest League.

Scott (19 goals, 9 assists) is the leading returning scorer, but should get plenty of help from Dunn (3 goals, 11 assists), Houston (3 goals, 6 assists), Lane (2 goals, 5 assists), Anderson (2 goals, four assists) and Montellano, who missed last season due to injury.

Gato (2.33 shutouts) and Ficklin return to lead the defense.

“We plan on continuing to be competitive and doing well in our region,” Ogden said. “This is a very talented and creative group of players that work well together. We are excited to have players returning from injuries, some new faces, and our strong, veteran players.

“We look forward to playing some teams we haven’t faced before, and we hope to improve on our previous postseason play.”