Head coach Malissa Iler has led the team, making its efforts this season impossible to ignore. Iler spoke about some of the challenges the team faced.

“Field access was a bit of a challenge because, obviously, we have a talented football team, so we didn’t always get to practice on the field,” Iler said. 

Desert Edge thrived this season despite working around the football team’s schedule and enduring extreme heat in preseason workouts. The Scorpions finished with a record of 17-4-1, marking the school’s best season in the last 10 years while reaching the second round of the playoffs.

Key players such as Tatum Iler, Angie Mayo, and goalkeeper Aurora Sartiano were instrumental in the team’s success. Coach Iler spoke highly of them and believes they deserve more recognition.

A key to Desert Edge’s success is the strong chemistry among the players. Coach Iler credits the team’s leadership and collective drive, particularly the unselfish commitment of her daughter, Tatum.

“We built this program for her, and we made sure Desert Edge was a good fit for her,” Iler said. “She’s taken on the role of a leader, and she always goes hard and puts in the work. She makes sure to be at every practice and every training session. Her nonstop effort makes her such a great player.”

Assistant coach Robert Iler, husband of Malissa Iler, spoke about the foundation of the program and how he and his wife built it after their win against Independence.

“This was a big group that we knew was coming when we took it over—a lot of girls that we coached in club—and for them to be where we are at is huge for us,” Robert Iler said.

Coach Iler also mentioned that while Tatum’s leadership has been vital, Angie Mayo has stepped into her own role as a key player. Mayo, who has been playing soccer since the age of four, credits her family as the inspiration for her passion for the sport.

“I started playing soccer when I was four years old, and what drew me to the sport was ultimately my big sister. She is a big role model for me, and she pushes me every day to be better,” Mayo said.

Mayo’s journey hasn’t been easy. She faced major setbacks with a fractured ankle and a sprained ACL, but her determination and hard work paid off.

“I overcame them by resting. I hated it, but in the end, it helped because if I didn’t allow myself to take that time to get better, it would’ve never healed,” Mayo said. “When my injuries got better, I did strengthening workouts for them.”

With strong leadership, resilience, and a commitment to each other, coach Iler believes her team is ready for the challenges ahead.