By Greg James

 South Valley - Freshman are found stuffed in lockers or garbage cans, lost on their way to class and carrying loads of books; not starting center backs on the University womens soccer team.

University of Utah freshman and Riverton High School graduate is doing just that. Hailey Skolmoski has started every game this season for the Utes women’s soccer team as a freshman.

“From day one we knew Hailey belonged on the field,” Utah womens soccer head coach Rich Manning told the Pac 12 network broadcast.

Skolmoski has started all seven Utah soccer games this fall. Despite playing defense mostly she has four shots on goal, her first chance came in the team’s 1-0 victory over Marquette. She headed a ball just wide of the goal. She had three shots for the Utes against BYU on Sept. 4 in the 2-0 loss.

Starting as defensive center back is not new to the Riverton graduate. Skolmoski began her career on defense. She told Riverton head soccer coach Paul Moizer she could play forward her sophomore season. She never looked back. She was named a two-time all-state selection and the 2015 Utah Gatorade Player of the Year.

In 2015 she scored 27 goals for the Silverwolves, fourth highest in the state, and she had 10 assists. Following last year’s high school season she was selected to play in the second annual High School All-American game in Raleigh, N.C.

“She has natural ability and is a hard worker. Hailey has the whole package as a player,” Riverton head coach Paul Moizer said after last season.

She was also awarded an Academic All-State award in high school, where she maintained a 4.0 cumulative grade point average.

“It was quite an adjustment at first to get used to college soccer, it’s a faster speed of play and different playing center back but it so fun and I love it,” Skolmoski said.

The Utes have 3 wins, 2 losses and 2 ties. They are scheduled to begin Pac12 play Sept. 25 at home against Stanford.  Washington and Washington State visit the Utes Oct. 9 and 10.