Zac Keeler took over program from Melissa Halonen
Bella Saren of Durango High School moves the ball while playing Fruita Monument High School at DHS last season. (Jerry McBride/Herald file)
Jerry McBride
The Durango girls soccer team had a great regular season last year but was upset in the first round of the 4A state playoffs. Zac Keeler has taken over the program from Melissa Halonen and hopes to lead the Demons to playoff success.
Keeler was an assistant for the Durango boys soccer team last year under Sean Ackerman. He’s coached high school soccer in Florida, Bayfield and Durango. He takes over a program that won at least nine games and made the state playoffs in Halonen’s last four seasons before she stepped away and moved to California.
“Practices are going great,” Keeler said. “Everyone is playing in a way that if we continue to play like this, we can compete in Colorado and try to bring a state run for us. I have been working with them on many different tactics they seem to think will help them with the stuff that Melissa had instilled in them before. We’ve got a young team.”
The Demons lost leading goal scorer Emery Miller from last year’s team and top defender Carter Neiman to graduation. Other key players like Reese Dahly, Adde Neiman and Sydney Ryan also graduated.
New leaders have stepped up to fill those players’ shoes, according to Keeler. Senior defender Amelia Scott leads the back line while senior midfielder Peyton Cioppa is the vocal leader of the team. Senior forward Bella Saren provides leadership with the way she plays and sets an example.
Saren is the Demons’ top returning goal scorer after scoring seven goals and having six assists last year.
“Her left foot is just magnificent,” Keeler said about Saren. “To see a player in the center of the field have a left foot like that, it’s deceptive to teams. Usually, a coach will put a left footer on the left hand side, but having her right in the middle, she’s going to make things happen for this team.”
Another intriguing player on offense is sophomore Lila Scherer-Sickler, who finished with two goals and six assists last year. Keeler has been impressed with Scherer-Sickler’s IQ, specifically how she sees plays develop and how she knows when to keep possession.
Keeler wants his team to control possession this year and play an exciting style of soccer with lots of goals scored for his offense.
Ryne Neiman is another big piece back. The junior goalkeeper has had a lot of experience going into her third year as the team’s starter. Keeler hopes she doesn’t have to make many saves with a strong defense and possession of the ball. He expects senior Emily McVaugh and sophomore Riley Smith to be big parts of the defense at the center defensive midfield position.
Goalie Ryne Neiman of Durango High School grabs the ball while playing Montrose High School at DHS last season. (Jerry McBride/Herald file)
Jerry McBride
The Demons’ season began on Friday and Saturday with losses to Cherry Creek and Ralston Valley, respectively. Those two opponents combined for 27 wins last season and Ralston Valley has multiple Division I players on its roster. Durango also was missing Neiman in goal and senior defender Lilly Fitzpatrick for the Cherry Creek game; both players were on the Durango girls basketball team that played in the 5A Great 8 state playoff game in Denver on Friday.
Keeler is excited about the level of competition in the remaining nonleague schedule against Delta, Crested Butte and Telluride. He’s focused on getting wins against Fruita Monument, Palisade and Montrose in league play. Then, a playoff run for Keeler and the Demons could be in the cards.