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Michaela Didericksen is a rare soccer talent, the likes of which Stansbury High School never has seen.

She started her freshman year of high school last month, and she already is on pace to shatter the school record for goals in a season.

"My goal for this season was to score a goal in every game," Didericksen said. "So far I have done pretty well, but there were a few games where I didn't score."

Such aspirations seem lofty for a freshman, but Didericksen already has accomplished goals that seem unrealistic for someone of her age. While she hasn't scored in every single game, she has come close. Didericksen scored nine goals in nine games entering the week. It's tough to say she has failed when she is averaging one goal per game.

The school record for goals in a season is 10, and Didericksen is on pace to score 16 goals by the end of the regular season.

Her path to success has not followed the typical blueprint. While most top-level high school athletes completely dedicate themselves to their sport, Didericksen has used other sports to advance her abilities. She also runs track and is a black belt in tae kwon do.

"Tae kwon do has kept me in a lot better shape than soccer has," she said. "It really helped me with my quickness and that kind of thing."

Stansbury coach Jeremy Alverson said Didericksen's personality has helped her develop into a well-rounded soccer player.

"She is tactically sound and very quick with the ball," he said. "She is great at finding the corners, and she is a great finisher at the net."

The Stallions never have qualified for the state playoffs, but Didericksen gives them a legitimate chance to break through this year. Stansbury entered the week in fifth place in Region 11, just one spot away from the coveted fourth playoff slot. Alverson sees Didericksen as a star in the making, but he thinks the team can ride her to success immediately.

"She does do other things, but soccer is her main focus and she has dedicated herself to it," Alverson said. "She has the goal of playing collegiately, and she can definitely get there, but we're happy to have her now." —

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Freshman Michaela Didericksen scored nine goals for the Stansbury girls soccer team in the first nine games of the season.

She also runs track for Stansbury.

Didericksen is an accomplished martial artist. She earned a black belt in tae kwon do.