FIRTH — When it’s a team’s inaugural season as a program there a lot of firsts.
For example, Firth had the school’s first win in girls’ soccer Sep. 6 against Aberdeen winning 4-3 at home.
On Wednesday, the Cougars attempted to win its district home opener, but the Teton Redskins overpowered Firth and won 5-1.
Firth (1-4 overall, 0-2 3A Sixth District) jumped out to a one goal lead in the eighth minute. Jacee Jensen, in the middle of Teton’s box, fought off defenders, gathered herself and rocketed a shot into the net, just under the top goal post.
“The start was fantastic,” said Cougars head coach Serena Esplin. “I think they were ready to play.”
Jensen and Addison Yancey are Firth’s only two players who had previously played competitive soccer in high school. Last season, both traveled to Aberdeen — about a 100-mile round-trip from Firth.
After Firth’s opening goal, it took six minutes for the Redskins to respond. By the end of the half, Teton had opened up a 3-1 lead.
The Cougars almost found a second goal 33 minutes in when Lindsey Jenkins received a pass from Shannon Christensen. Jenkins was behind the defense and shot the ball past Teton’s goalkeeper. But the sideline referees flag had darted up, offsides was the call.
“It would have made a big difference if we had scored,” Esplin said. “I knew she was way offsides. I saw it clear back, I knew it, I knew it.”
In the final 40 minutes, Firth pressed forward, pushing for another goal, but Teton countered and added two insurance points to pull away.
“Teton did realize that we were pushing up quite a bit, and they took advantage of that,” Esplin said.
But for much of the second half, the Cougars defense held firm. In the backline, Esplin relies on Yancey and against Teton, she moved Karianne Vestboe from center forward to the back.
“(Vestboe) did a really good job. She was able to mesh really well,” Esplin said. “(Addison Yancey) is my sweeper, because she’s such a great communicator. She knows the game. She’s been playing it for a long time. She knows how to direct the girls and what is best for us.”
Esplin, 24, counts on a few of her girls for their experience on a soccer field, because much of the team is just beginning to learn the game. Esplin herself is wading through her first season as a coach.
“They’re really coachable which has been really helpful,” she said. “They know I have the experience and knowledge and they try to implement it.
“Even though the result doesn’t always go our way, give us a couple years and I think we’re going to have an amazing team.”
Firth plays today in Sugar City against Sugar-Salem.
Teton (3-2-1 overall, 3-0 3A Sixth District) hosts North Fremont in Driggs.