As American Fork prepared for the 2025 season, first-year head coach Tara Warner was particularly excited about the talent in this year’s freshman class. On Thursday, the mix of experience and talented youth pushed American Fork over Weber 2-0 for its fourth win in a row.
As American Fork prepared for the 2025 season, first-year head coach Tara Warner was particularly excited about the talent in this year’s freshman class.
The Cavemen list just six seniors on their varsity roster, with five freshmen joining the ranks.
On Thursday, the mix of experience and talented youth pushed American Fork over Weber 2-0 for its fourth win in a row.
“Our freshmen as a whole have really stepped up to the level of varsity play and I think our upperclassmen have taught them how to just step up, how to be leaders and how to play hard for one another,” Warner said.
Among the young standouts for American Fork is freshman midfielder Avery Walbruch, who has quickly risen to be one of the Cavemen’s top contributors.
In just five games so far this year, Walbruch has led American Fork in both goals and assists, with four goals and three assists.
Walbruch helped make the difference in Thursday’s shutout over Weber as she contributed both a goal and assist in the win.
“Avery’s done great,” Warner said. “She’s a great communicator in the midfield and she really controls that midfield and she leads a lot of our attack.”
Despite the strong 2-0 finish, the first half was a bit of a struggle for American Fork. While it didn’t score, Weber’s offense was getting more chances and forced American Fork goalkeeper Taybree Hansen to make multiple saves.
Hansen stayed strong at the net and kept Weber off the board, but American Fork was well aware it wasn’t a sustainable way to win.
“They kind of dominated the whole first half and we talked about that at halftime,” said Warner. “Weber really did have the control and we talked about just going out and playing how we know how to play because we really do have so much talent here and they just didn’t play that way in the first half.
“I think they really just locked in and we talked about our team cues and just going out there and playing together and defending as a team.”
The momentum switch in the second half was palpable as American Fork turned up the defensive pressure while giving itself chances at goals.
The Cavemen finally broke the 0-0 tie in the 52nd minute with Walbruch placing a corner kick into dangerous territory, and junior Stori Jones took advantage and redirected it to the goal.
At first it seemed Weber’s goalkeeper stopped it, but the ball had narrowly gone past the goal line for the American Fork goal.
Walbruch then further pushed the lead in the 62nd minute with a well placed unassisted goal about 30 yards out. The goal all but sealed the game with a 2-0 lead.
“I know what my abilities are and I just play up,” Walbruch said. “I know I just have to use my body. A lot of the girls are more aggressive and faster than me, so I have to be smart and just play my game.”
The win pushed American Fork’s record to 4-1, and extended its win streak to four after it dropped its season opener to Alta. Overall, it’s a promising start to the season for the Cavemen after they were voted to finish last in Region 3 in the coaches poll. It’s also the fourth consecutive shutout for Hansen.
“We’re the underdogs, and we’re going to come and show everyone that we’re one of the top teams,” said Walbruch.
Category: General Sports
