Lady Tigers soccer players receive conference honors

Jacey Carr poses for a photo with Lady Tigers soccer coach Curtis Viall following her selection for the Southern Idaho All Conference first team honor.

Following a winning season on the soccer field, Mountain Home High School's Lady Tigers soccer team earned a number of honors during the Southern Idaho All Conference Awards event.

An award voted on by coaches only, they create an all-star team consisting of 11 first team and 11 second team players in addition to presenting honorable mentions to other players.

During the awards event, Lady Tiger Jacey Carr was chosen as a first team player. For the past nine years, the teen has remained a year round soccer player with participation in high school, indoor and two competitive club teams.

Brian Shields, who coached Carr during her two years with the Idaho Rush soccer club, admits he wasn't surprised at her selection for the all-conference honor.

"Her focus and work ethic is what puts her ahead of a lot of players," Shields said. "I wish I could have a team of Jaceys."

"Jacey has played every position on the team except goalie at some point in her career," said Lady Tigers coach Curtis Viall. "Carr led our team in assists and second in goals this year and was a key player in putting constant pressure on the opposing team defense."

With midfield being her favorite, Carr said that soccer is about being part of a team with no room for individuality.

"If someone else has the better shot, get them the ball," said Carr, who is looking into becoming a surgical doctor after college.

At the same time, she can't see soccer not being part of her life and has high hopes for the future, Carr added.

During the awards event, second team all-conference honors went to Elizabeth Ryan for defense. Honorable mentions went to forwards Joe McCoy, Lorenza Guevara and Violet Martinez, midfielders Kaden Spencer and Anna Pedroza and defenders Joe McCoy and Biri Martinez.

Ryan on second team defense, "led a tenacious defense that was second in league in goals allowed per game," Viall said.

The coach added that the team's honorable selectees all stood out.

"Violet led us in goals and scored 21," he said. "Anna was our best midfielder at transitioning the ball, and Biri was definitely one of the best left fullbacks in the league."