Mountain Ridge prepares for battle against 16-3-2 Crismon, AZ

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Arizona girls high school soccer tournament is about to start and the Mountain Lions of Mountain Ridge are gearing up for a battle with the Crismon Rattlers.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>USE THE PROMO CODE almasin30 for a discount on your first subscription</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mountain Ridge Mountain Lions (8-3-1 overall) ranked as high as #3 in the Arizona high school rankings, yet are ranked at #14 in Division and #25 in AZ.&nbsp; They go up against #20 in the state and #3 in the division, the Crimson Rattlers (16-3-2 overall), in their first match of tournament play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mountain Lions experienced early success as the team rode a 6-game win streak, then dropped one and won two consecutive matches before ending the season with 2 losses and a tie for the remaining three matches.&nbsp; Yet, they feel confident about their matchup with the Rattlers, who won 8 of the 9 remaining matches by wide margins of 4 goals and as much as 13 in one match.&nbsp; The scoring margin is quite impressive at 128 goals for and only 7 against for the Rattlers.&nbsp; Nonetheless, we'll see which team comes out on top and attempt to make a deep run in the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mountain Lions are proud of how bonded they are as a team and the constant support, encouragement, and amazing culture they are building.&nbsp; Kate Edgrington, one of their top players, said, “It's like family.”&nbsp; Kate recently won the Player of the Match Award vs. Pinnacle on February 2nd.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lastly, coaching also plays a part in the success of a program.&nbsp; Here is what Kate had to say about their coach: “Our head coach is Ryne Jakubos. He is amazing and doing a great job leading all 58 of us athletes across 3 teams. He just got the DVUSD Coach of the Month award! So deserved. He has high standards and is always pushing us to be great on and off the field. Coach Ryne is building a great soccer program at Mountain Ridge that keeps getting better each year.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Additional notes on Coach Ryne: He has had a winning record the past four years as head coach. The last time the school had a winning record was in 2006.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Featured Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. [player_tooltip player_id='112158' first='Kate' last='Edrington'] - 2027 - Defender - Club Team: </strong>Utah Royals - AZ ECNL G09 - Akron Commit</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. [player_tooltip player_id='284586' first='Ava' last='Thornton'] - 2027 - Defender - Club Team: </strong>Utah Royals - AZ ECRL G07/08 - Lubbock Christian Commit</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. [player_tooltip player_id='284600' first='Marlowe' last='Dockter'] - 2027 - Forward - Club Team</strong>: Phoenix Rising ECRL G09</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. [player_tooltip player_id='349547' first='Taryn' last='Mcgee'] - 2028 - Midfielder/Forward - Club Team:</strong> Utah Royals - AZ ECRL G10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. [player_tooltip player_id='349545' first='Kileigh' last='Moreland'] - 2027 - Midfielder/Forward - Club Team:</strong> Utah Royals - AZ ECRL G07/08</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player Evaluations:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. [player_tooltip player_id='112158' first='Kate' last='Edrington'] - 2027 - Defender - Club Team: </strong>Utah Royals - AZ ECNL G09 - Akron Commit</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["112158"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-698ad0aba58c6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She is one of the Mountain Ridge captains and has been a leader on and off the field. The 2024 and 2025 Defensive Player of the Year and 2025 6A All Region and 2026 CCP Female Athlete of the Year winner provided 4 assists this season and had a .5 average for assists per game. The University of Akron commit continues to shine on both her high school and club teams. Her ability to take and execute feedback from her coaches is what makes her a solid player. She is part of the defensive backline, which kept their team in every match of the tournament. Kate is a smart player with a high soccer IQ. She can anticipate the attack and place herself in the best angle for stopping runs into the 18. Kate makes clean tackles in the defensive third, and she isn't afraid to make contact when challenging 50/50s. Edrington is a high-level player who combines technique, scanning, and determination as her keys to success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kate's Highlights:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/shorts/HQfJXRWBOuA","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-9-16 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-9-16 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/shorts/HQfJXRWBOuA </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. [player_tooltip player_id='284586' first='Ava' last='Thornton'] - 2027 - Defender - Club Team: </strong>Utah Royals - AZ ECRL G07/08 - Lubbock Christian Commit</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["284586"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-698ad0aba5935"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She is a varsity captain who received 2025 Defensive player of the year and 2025 ECNL-RL Player of the match award. This season she received the Player of the game award vs. Millennium &amp; Gilbert. The Lubbock Christian commit is the assist leader for the Mountain Lions with .6 assists per game, while adding 5 goals for the season. She adds a physical presence on defense and is known for her versatility on offense. Ava is also good with the ball at her feet and she can make deep runs from the defensive line to add a punch on offense. She definitely makes an impression when going up for aerial duels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ava's Highlights:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DREMgVjAC_0/?img_index=1">https://www.instagram.com/p/DREMgVjAC_0/?img_index=1</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. [player_tooltip player_id='284600' first='Marlowe' last='Dockter'] - 2027 - Forward - Club Team</strong>: Phoenix Rising ECRL G09</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["284600"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":350077,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-698ad0aba5996"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She received the Player of the Game award vs. Desert View, received the 2025 6A All-Region and 2024 Mountain Ridge awards, and was also on the 2024 All-Region team. She is the leading scorer on the team this year with an average of 1 goal per game and a total of 7 goals and one assist on the season. Marlowe has a total of 18 goals and 12 assists as a 3-year varsity player. She is known for playing multiple positions while making a name for herself as a finisher. Her academic achievements are also noted, as she was recognized for "extraordinary achievements" as early as in 6th grade at the Terramar Academy of the Arts. She is an up-and-coming player who we will be hearing a lot of sooner rather than later.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marlowe's Highlights:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7pFWdTpzlE","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7pFWdTpzlE </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. [player_tooltip player_id='349547' first='Taryn' last='Mcgee'] - 2028 - Midfielder/Forward - Club Team:</strong> Utah Royals - AZ ECRL G10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["349547"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-698ad0aba59e1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She received the Player of the Game award vs. Valley Vista while scoring 3 goals. Has 5 goals on the season with 3 assists. Taryn was a 2026 AZ Central Player of the Week nominee. She is known for her ability to play as a mid and forward. Her tactical ability shines in the attacking third as she contributes to the buildup or provides an offensive punch at the goal. Her ability to finish at 1.4 points per match significantly exceeds the national average of 1.0. Taryn's strengths are with versatility in positions and offense efficiency.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Taryn's Highlights:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/DTWDgaYEyiP/?__d=11","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/DTWDgaYEyiP/?__d=11 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. [player_tooltip player_id='349545' first='Kileigh' last='Moreland'] - 2027 - Midfielder/Forward - Club Team:</strong> Utah Royals - AZ ECRL G07/08</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["349545"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-698ad0aba5a27"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She received the Ridge GOAT award and contributed 3 goals and 3 assists on the season. Kileigh is a key contributor to the Mountain Lions' attack and can play as a box-to-box player. She is part of the defensive core, which had a combined 7 shutouts and only 10 goals conceded in league play. Kileigh plays club soccer for the Utah Royals—AZ ECRL G07/08 team. She is a 4.0 student athlete who excels both on the field and in the classroom.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kileigh's Highlights:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1MwbDSADls","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1MwbDSADls </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was fortunate to have [player_tooltip player_id='112158' first='Kate' last='Edrington'] answer a few questions to share some information on her soccer journey.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kate's questions and responses:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. What are three of your strengths as a soccer player?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“One of my biggest strengths is my defensive awareness. I do a good job reading the game and putting myself in the right spots early. I'm also strong in 1v1 defending and staying composed under pressure. Another strength is my communication and leadership on the field. As Varsity Team captain I like helping organize the back line and keeping everyone connected.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. When did you and your parents decide that you would want to be a collegiate soccer player?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“I have always wanted to play college soccer and honestly can't remember a time when that wasn't my goal. I love the game and the grind that comes with it.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. What are some of the things you are currently doing to prepare for your college soccer journey?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Right now I'm focused on developing with both Mountain Ridge and the Utah Royals by playing against strong competition and continuing to grow as a defender. I'm also working on my strength, speed and recovery and staying on top of my academics.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. What has been your most memorable soccer moment or moments as a soccer player thus far?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“One of my most memorable moments was playing in the quarterfinals of the ECNL playoffs this past summer. My team really came together and competed at a high level. We didn't give up and ended up coming out on top when we were expected to lose. I was really proud of my team and the effort we put into that game.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. Is there a club, collegiate, or professional soccer player who inspires you?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“I'm inspired by defenders who are calm, consistent and reliable. I really admire players who may not always get the spotlight but do the little things right and are always there for their team.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6. Where do you see yourself or hope to be in your soccer journey in 5–6 years?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“In 5–6 years I see myself playing collegiate soccer and continuing to grow both as a player and a person. I want to be a defender my team can trust and a positive leader on and off the field, while also preparing for life beyond soccer.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Additional Team Pics:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":350081,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/MR-Group-Pic.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-350081" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":350083,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/Ridge-Yea-crop-1050x689-1770705355.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-350083" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->