Though they played even after the break, a pair of first-period goals by Maple Mountain proved to be enough to lift the Golden Eagles past scrappy Springville 3-1 in Spanish Fork Tuesday afternoon.
Combination play was the main factor in all three scores for the home squad, a fact guaranteed to put a smile on a soccer coach's face.
"I liked our offensive attack today," said Maple Mountain coach Carolyn Swenson-Esplin. "We've been working on our through balls and using our speed wide and up top.
"I'm glad that worked out so well for us," the coach continued. "We were able to execute that part."
Another key was the play of goalkeeper Kara Betts. "She was just stellar," Swenson-Esplin said. "If not for her, this could easily have been a 2-3 or 3-3 game. She made some terrific saves."
The contest was not without its anxious moments, however.
"Springville is a good team, and playing them showed us more of our weaknesses," the coach said. "I was pleased that the girls were able to rise to the occasion. When you can still get a win while seeing where you need to improve, that's always a positive."
Red Devil goalkeeper Danica Nusink played tough but was under near-constant pressure. The score would have been much worse without her efforts, and she made the correct plays in each of the opportunities the Golden Eagles were able to capitalize on.
The first came in the 16th minute. Maple Mountain's Baylee Nielsen tried a shot in the center of the box, but Nusink came up aggressively and deflected it on the ground.
Nielsen then gathered it and sent it left to Mickelle Hamilton, who fed it right back. Nusink went after the ball again but couldn't quite secure it, and Nielsen finished the play at the net.
The teams continued to trade possessions for the rest of the half, but neither was able to find the target until the period's final minute.
This time, Nielsen avoided multiple incoming defenders with a pass to Wesli Peay on the left side. She chipped the ball up in front of the net, and Hamilton finished the play with a header.
The Golden Eagles kept up the torrid pace in the second half, despite the wilting heat.
In particular, Natalie Hickey showed great energy in moving the ball up the sideline on the attack, and McKell Nielsen was the equivalent on the defensive side, making a succession of fine plays with determination and skill.
The early push paid off once again. Ten minutes into the period, Kennedee Tracy found Hamilton loose in the box once more, and she sent a rocket over the goalie's head into the high near corner.
The play was more even from that point on, and Springville's own efforts in moving the ball finally paid off four minutes later.
The initial shot bounced straight back off the crossbar, but Megan Marchbanks collected the rebound and gave it to Amie Critchfield, who was able to convert and break the shutout.
That was as close as it got, however. The teams continued to battle and each had other opportunities, but the tally didn't change.
Rachel Bingham also had an outstanding game for the home team, showing some impressive speed along with Meghan White.
For the visitors, Brooke Lopshire was solid again on the defensive side, and Mashaela Farris also worked hard in the back. Natalie Sanchez joined Marchbanks and Kaisa Goodman in leading the attack.
The Red Devils (2-2-0, 1-1-0) will host Salem Hills (1-3-0, 1-1-0) and the Golden Eagles (4-0-0, 2-0-0) will visit Mountain View (2-2-0, 0-2-0) as Region 8 play continues Tuesday at 4 p.m.
Beky Beaton can be reached at bbeaton@heraldextra.com. Follow her on Twitter at @BeatonWrite.
Read more: http://www.heraldextra.com/sports/high-school/soccer/girls/article_258140ac-ce16-11e0-9450-001cc4c03286.html#ixzz1WNjzAoZo
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