Garendale midfielder Madison Johnson (in white) chases down a ball along with Vestavia Hills’ Anna Hudson in the Rebels’ 10-0 win Tuesday.

Gardendale’s girls soccer program has made improvements over the last couple of seasons. But when it comes to taking on the established over-the-mountain schools who have played the game for many years, it’s easy to see that the Rockets still have a long, long way to go to catch up.

Such was the case Tuesday, as visiting Vestavia Hills used superior ball-control skills, and a steady shot from some young talent on the forward line, to take a 10-0 victory over the Rockets. The game ended in the 64th minute on the 10-goal mercy rule.

Gardendale (2-6-1) had moments when its defense frustrated the Rebels forwards, forcing gol kick after goal kick as shots sailed wide of the mark.

But Vestavia (9-6-1) opened the scoring on two quick goals by diminutive freshmen Anna Hoffman and Nicole Estrada in the 11th and 13th minutes, respectively.

The Rebels then put in three quick goals just before halftime, on shots by Blaire Wolski, Sara Davies and Anna Hudson.

The barrage continued not long into the second half, as Hoffman scored her second goal of the match three minutes in. Then sophomore Meghan Prendergast scored back-to-back goals only seven minutes apart.

Anna Ireland scored in the 58th minute when she took a rebound of a shot that went off the crossbar, then headed it in off the upright.

Estrada ended the game 16 minutes early when she beat Rockets keeper Heather Mathews, putting the ball into the side netting.

Mathews got a workout, stopping nine of the Rebels’ 19 shots on goal. But the senior, playing soccer for the first time this season, also let some balls get by that shouldn’t have, such as Wolski’s goal which skidded under he arms off a bare spot in the six-yard box.

Despite the loss, Gardendale coach Brad Robertson is seeing progress in his squad.

“We get along and work together better as a team,” Robertson said. “The things that are killing us are the basics that we have to get back to — simple, fundamental soccer — ball handling, trapping, things you learn as a five-year-old.”

The Rockets travel to Ramsay on Thursday and to Pinson Valley on Friday.