By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

Riverside coach Stephen Millet has been rebuilding the Riverside soccer program up since 2008. Last season saw some of the fruits of his and his players labor come to light. This season, the Rebel girls have made an even bigger step.

Riverside improved to 6-5-2 with road victories over Northlake Christian Monday and Lusher Saturday.

“We’re having a good year so far,” said Millet. “The last three or four years, I’ve talked about how these girls are young, but when they get the experience, that’s when we can do some things. And we’re seeing it now.

“Now those girls are upperclassman. Shelby (Deslatte) has been here for five years, All-District in each of the last three. You expect her to step up and she has. The others are now old enough to take it to the next level, and they’re reaping the benefits.”

The Rebels downed the Wolverines 3-1 on Monday. Mary Gurley, Taylor Terrio and Shelby Deslatte each scored goals in the victory.

Saturday’s 2-1 victory saw Gurley score both goals, each coming off of a corner kick. Gurley scored the first on a header and the next on a short kick.

“Mary’s big and athletic and really poses a problem for other teams in those situations, where it’s a corner kick and it’s a chance to go win a ball,” he said. “She’ll do all she can. She’ll challenge you, challenge the ball. He’s been strong in midfield for us.”

Millet said that the hope is to see the Rebels take a big step this season and challenge for a district crown, though he knows it will be a steep challenge with perennial threat E.D. White and rival St. Charles in the Rebels’ district.

“I feel like these girls are capable of challenging for it and maybe doing something in the playoffs, but we have to work hard,” Millet said. “Do the right things consistently. But winning district is our number one goal.”