High School Sports
DHS Soccer Team Hits the Field
Dayton's Malia Frame (13) challenges a WWVA player for the ball, as Nick Powell (21) watches.
T
he Dayton High School soccer team had a good first half, but got roughed up in the second half, in a game against Walla Walla Valley Academy September 15th at the DHS athletic complex. The team lost 6-1, after staying close with a 2-1 halftime score. Coach DJ Frame said he was very proud of his players and their performance against a more experienced WWVA team.
Marshall Nechodom outhustles an opponent.
The DHS soccer team is beginning its second full season, and will play a total of 14 regular season games this fall. "We have about 25 players turned out this year," says Frame. "They're a great group of kids. And this year we'll have several JV games, so they'll have the opportunity to earn more playing time. Frame has three assistants – Jeff McCowen, Rachel Hutchens and Rich Hendrickson – helping him with coaching duties.
Since WWVA and Dayton are the only schools in the District 9 B-II conference with soccer teams, scheduling games has been a challenge. The team will travel to Yakima, Moses Lake and Spokane in October for regular season games, including an overnight trip to Spokane, where they will play two different teams. The team has a good chance of being invited to the District 7 B-II playoffs in November in Spokane.
Nick Powell disrupts an opponent.
A few years ago, many of the kids on the current team played on a team in the Walla Walla Parks and Recreation program for Junior High aged players that Frame coached. But by the summer of 2007, most of the players were too old to continue in that program. "We asked the school board for permission to play for and represent Dayton High School and they agreed" says Frame. The team, with community support, acquired the equipment needed at no cost to the school – including uniforms, goal posts and practice game balls.
Frame says he is extremely proud of the way team members have gotten involved in other community activities besides practicing and playing. In July, team members put on a four-day soccer camp for elementary school kids, to help them develop their skills. Team members have also participated in Relay for Life, Smoke-Free Washington and helped at other high school athletic events, including cleaning under the football bleachers and working at cross country meets.
DHS FALL SCHEDULE LINK
Adam Strohbehn executes a free kick.
Dayton's Conner Currin (28) kicks the ball away from the sideline.
