Bulldogs built for title run

It wouldn’t be a surprise if the seniors on Centennial’s girls soccer team called coach Jeremy Gill by an incorrect name.

It’s no sign of disrespect — simply a matter of confusion.

For a senior class that has won two Class 4A Southern Nevada titles and qualified for the postseason each year, Gill is its fourth head coach.

“After a couple of years, you tend to build relationships with your coaches,” said senior forward Bethanie Skelton, who has led the team in scoring since her freshman year. “But every year we get a new coach ... I have to go out there and take a leadership role for me and my teammates.”

That’s not to say the past three coaches haven’t made an impression, Skelton said.

“It’s helped a lot (to develop as a player),” she said. “Each coach tells you different things and realizes different things that you need to improve on.”

Skelton tallied a team-high 15 goals and six assists last season for the Bulldogs, who finished third in a Northwest League that has produced six of the past seven Southern Nevada champions, including Centennial in 2008 and 2009.

“With players like Bethanie and the others, anything less (than a Southern Nevada title) would be selling them short,” said Gill, who also coaches with Las Vegas Premier. “Especially in their senior year, I can think of nothing better than to go out winning another championship.”

The Bulldogs return eight of 11 starters from last season’s 14-4-1 team that advanced to the Sunset Region semifinals. Gill realizes the road will be anything but easy.

“We know there’s the Palo (Verde) and the Arbor Views, but we feel that our starting 11 should be a high-attacking, high-scoring offense,” Gill said.

Centennial’s road to the title began early with Monday’s 3-2 road win over two-time defending Sunrise champion Coronado. The

Bulldogs also must battle defending Southern Nevada champion Arbor View and two-time champ Palo Verde, which returns every starter from last season’s Sunset Region final squad.

Senior co-captain Faith Johannes and junior goalkeeper Natalie Gilbertson also are back to anchor a solid Centennial defense, which Skelton credits for her run of goal-scoring success.

“It has so much to do with the passes and how the teammates get me the ball,” Skelton said.

With a new coach, two championships under her belt and a chance for a third before going to Washington State, Skelton said she is confident Centennial can win another title.