To say that the Pocatello High School girls’ soccer team has faced some adversity this season would be an understatement.

    The Indians have had to overcome injuries, transfers and youth to field a competitive team every game.

    Senior midfielder Autumn Fenwick was lost in the second contest of the year with a torn ACL and last season’s starting goalkeeper Kaylee Praska transferred to Century after that same game, forcing head coach Doug Merkley to make some changes to his lineup.

    Junior fullback Danny Jorgensen had to move to goalie, senior Abby Jones became the team’s main scoring threat and the freshmen who played for the junior varsity team early in the season were now pressed into playing at the varsity level.

    “I am having to play six kids who have never played soccer,” Merkley said. “We played eight freshmen today. As these young kids get more and more playing time we might actually start to come together by the end of the season.”

    Having to play so many freshmen inevitably leads to some growing pains and Merkley and his team have definitely have gone through their fair share.

    But with more playing time comes improvement and the Indians’ young athletes are beginning to show that they are learning how to play the game as well.

    “Emma Baird has been a pleasant surprise for us,” Merkley said. “This is her first year playing soccer and she is as timid as they come, but as we got her more playing time she got more aggressive and physically got the ball. She made more contact with the players and today she even knocked down a girl, which is so out of character for her. The rest of the team is tickled pink because we have asked her to be more aggressive and more physical and she has done that.”

    The youth on the field turned out to be the downfall for the Indians on Thursday as late defensive lapses and the inability to finish near the net allowed Bonneville to leave Hawthorne Field with a 3-0 victory.

    Bonneville took the lead in the 20th minute when Melissa McMaster scored the first of her three goals. Her shot from just inside the penalty area ricocheted of the right post just out of the reach of Jorgensen and into the back of the net.

    Pocatello had chances to get on the board numerous times in the game, but balls just missed the legs of the intended targets.

    Trailing 2-0 in the second half, the Indians had their best scoring opportunities in the span of about 30 seconds.

    After taking a cross from Sarah Otterstein, Jones had the ball just outside the goal. Her shot was blocked by the Bonneville defenders and the rebound attempt suffered the same fate before being cleared.

    The ball found the right foot of Alicia Fisher, whose shot hit the right post and bounced away. After the furious rally, Pocatello’s bench showed looks of disbelief.

    “We had trouble finishing early and our inexperience showed in the end,” Merkley. “At this point in the season we are just happy to be here. We are going to go out every week and compete and I expect things to come together by the end of the season.”

    Pocatello (1-7, 0-2 4A Fifth/Sixth District) hosts Preston on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.