Kaitlin Loeffen has been the coach of the Powell High School girls’ soccer team for more than a year, but this weekend will mark her first official game. Loeffen was named to the post in late 2019, but just a few practices into her first season, the entire 2020 campaign was axed due to COVID-19.

She will make her debut at the helm Saturday when the team ventures east to Buffalo for a contest against the Bison. Needless to say, the coach couldn’t be more antsy to get started. 

“I’m as excited as I am nervous,” Loeffen said. “For me, it’s just a blessing that we have a season. The fact that we’re even out there, that’s exciting.”

But the coach isn’t the only one anxious to get the 2021 campaign underway. Every player on Powell’s roster hasn’t played an organized school game in more than a year, so they are all eager to take the pitch. 

Just a few practices into the 2021 spring, senior Sidney Karst has been impressed with the team’s energy. 

“Some of the girls from past years are doing really good, and I think we’ve grown together as a team,” Karst said. “A lot of the new faces and new girls that have not played before are doing super well, considering having no experience.”

With less ability to hold organized soccer events due to the pandemic, it was up to the girls to find opportunities to stay active during the lengthy offseason. The players all found different ways to do that. 

Karst participated in several three-on-three tournaments and took weight classes to stay in soccer shape. Others played with the Heart Mountain United Soccer team. And the team was able to hold a few open fields and open gyms, when scheduling and weather cooperated. 

“Those that want to improve and get that spot on varsity, it will be very clear that they’ve been working in the offseason,” Loeffen said. 

What’s stuck out to Loeffen in the first few practices has been the team’s proficiency on offense. The coach said she hopes the team’s identity revolves around increasing the number of offensive opportunities.

“The focus this year is to put shots on goal,” Loeffen said. “In the previous years, we may have put five up the whole game. We’re seeing some big legs out there, so hopefully we can get the lead and then pull back into defense.” 

PHS returns several key returners to this year’s roster, including a strong core of seniors. 

At goalkeeper, senior Mattie Larsen returns and will be a leader, “bringing up the back,” Loeffen said. Payton Asher, another senior, will be a “force to be reckoned with” leading the defensive line, the coach said. 

Up front, Loeffen expects Karst to be a standout, along with senior Madi Fields and sophomore Kabrie Cannon. And the team also brings in a couple of freshmen who are expected to make impacts, with Loeffen singling out Emma Johnson as a key newcomer. 

Some of the coach’s goals this season include making it to the Class 3A state tournament, improving on offense and seeing consistency in the junior varsity program as well. It has been a while since Powell’s girls’ team has been a force, Loeffen admitted, so she hopes to change that.

“One of the biggest triumphs is to get a win at state, and that would be a huge accomplishment,” Loeffen said. “The girls are really easy to coach. They’re ready, and I think they’re just as excited as I am.”