Senior Bella Heverly has scored in each of Hidden Valley's last three games. (Northwest Sports Photography)

Sure, reigning 4A girls soccer champion Hidden Valley is off to a 4-0 start.

But without seven starters from last year’s state championship match, the Mustangs are finding that their margin for error has shrunk considerably, at least for now.

“Even though some of the games we’ve been overmatched, we’ve been able to secure a victory despite getting wave after wave of attacks from the other side,” coach Dennis Hart said.

Hidden Valley, ranked No. 2 in the OSAAtoday 4A coaches poll, is playing the long game as it tries to integrate new players into the system. As part of that process, the team has employed a variety of strategies as it tries to hit on a sustainable winning combination.

“I’ve played four formations in four games,” Hart said. “We kind of vary it up, let the kids have the flexibility. It changes sometimes during a match. So that’s different.

“We’re trying to introduce the game in as many forms and fashions as possible, so they can just make those decisions on the field.”

The Mustangs of Grants Pass need their newcomers to make strides if they are going to overcome losing several key players, including first-team all-state selections Nyah Kendall and Bailey Hart and second-team pick Megan Porter.

“The center spine of a center striker, center midfield and center back,” coach Hart described them.

One key holdover is junior goalkeeper Kaiah Fisher, who was first-team all-state last season.

“She’s phenomenal,” Dennis Hart said.

Other key players back are senior forward Bella Heverly, senior midfieler Marisa Elmore, junior midfielder Justice Hartford and junior defender Emily Bergeron, who scored the deciding goal in a 1-0 win over Valley Catholic in last year’s state final.

The Mustangs opened with a 1-0 win over Philomath, getting a goal from freshman Ashley Yunker. Heverly scored single goals as they beat Cottage Grove 2-0 and Molalla 2-1 and she had two goals in an 8-0 win over Junction City.

The offense showed its diversity against Junction City as seven different players scored.

“On the front end, even though we’ve lost experience and athleticism, we’re trying to compensate for that with a little bit more intelligence and combination play,” Hart said.

The Mustangs are counting on their winning culture – they were 30-4-2 in the last two seasons, both times reaching the state final -- to propel them forward. They will need it considering opponents are likely to be coming at them harder this season.

“Everyone gets success if they can knock you down. You get everyone’s best game,” Hart said. “We’re on a different journey, our own journey. We’re not expected to do anything more than be our own group and see where it takes us.”

Hidden Valley gets a big test Thursday when it opens Skyline Conference play at home against crosstown rival North Valley, ranked fifth in 4A. The Knights handed the Mustangs their only loss last season.

Photos of state championship events are available from Northwest Sports Photography at 4nsp.com