A man with a lifelong passion for soccer has take over as Ridgeview’s girls coach in the sport.

Nic Sedor played soccer from 1998-2002 at Corban University in Salem, then worked as an assistant coach there for a couple years afterward. While coaching college soccer, he played for the Cascade Surge semi-pro team in Salem.

Sedor also had a short but successful stint as head boys coach at West Salem High, leading the team to an appearance in the Class 6A state quarterfinals in 2014, his only season there.

“That team was amazing,” he said. “I would’ve stuck with that, but I ended up getting a job out here.”

Sedor went back to school to study to become a nurse practitioner, while also coaching pole vaulters for Ridgeview’s track team. He said he finished fourth at state in Arizona in pole vault in high school.

He has been taking time off from his job after suffering a severe leg injury earlier in the year. When the girls job came open, he jumped at the chance to coach again.

“This is a welcome distraction from the pain,” Sedor said.

The sport is a great way to teach life lessons, like discipline and determination, Sedor said.

“I love the game, it’s been a part of my life since I was 4,” he said. “I want to stay close to it. I think it’s one of the best ways to build character in our young people.”

Sedor has an ultimate goal of winning a state title with the Ravens, building on the success started under former coach Kyle Chown. The Ravens made the playoff the last two season, including winning the Intermountain Conference title in 2018, but lost early in the playoffs.

Sedor expects the Ravens to once again take the league title in 2018 but looks to better prepare them for the postseason. That means more physical practices.

The players are excited about the change.

“I feel like he has the drive to get there and the experience behind him and the trust of the players,” said senior defensive midfielder Averi Hartford, a first-team all-IMC player in 2018.

The new coaches are refreshing, said senior forward/midfielder Sadie Benz, a second-team all-league choice last season.

“I like being seen by new eyes,” she said. “It helps me out with the different styles of play.”

While the Ravens lost some key players from 2018, including IMC most valuable player Jordyn Buresh, they have a strong senior class, as well as a good group of incoming freshmen.

“I think we still have a really good-looking team,” Benz said. “I think we’ll get back into the playoffs, and, hopefully, we’ll go further. I think we have a lot of potential here.”

— Reporter: 541-548-2186, gfolsom@redmondspokesman.com