Prep soccer: Warriors win, Flyers keep pace with road win

Written by Bob Hudson
April 26, 2016
Dixie's Mikey Haug (34), Pine View vs. Dixie, Soccer, St. George, Utah, Apr. 26, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News

ST. GEORGE – It’s turning out to be quite a race for the Region 9 boys soccer crown, with Snow Canyon a nose ahead of Dixie going into Friday night’s final regular season game. The Warriors stayed a game ahead of the Flyers by downing Hurricane, while the Flyers were able to rally past Pine View. Desert Hills is firmly entrenched in third place after Tuesday night’s win against Cedar.

Here’s a look at Tuesday night’s action:

Dixie 2, Pine View 1

Tyler Bennett’s goal in the 24th minute of the second half kept Dixie in the hunt for a share of the region title on a chilly Tuesday night.

dixie-logopine-view-logo“Bennett dribbled in and blasted his shot past Panther goalkeeper Alex Castro to complete opportunities,” Myers said. “That’s what Tauri (Morales) did with his goal.”

Myers credited the defensive play of Roberto Bibiano, who marked Kalob Dudley all night, and of Av’ry Green, as being important elements in the second-half comeback. Pine View led 1-0 at the half after getting a goal from Dudley off passes from Ray Ayala and Michael Cardenas in the 22nd minute of play.

Dixie's Tyler Bennett (8) celebrates his second half goal, Pine View vs. Dixie, Soccer, St. George, Utah, Apr. 26, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Dixie’s Tyler Bennett (8) celebrates his second half goal, Pine View vs. Dixie, Soccer, St. George, Utah, Apr. 26, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News

Dixie got the equalizer on Morales’ breakaway in the 33rd minute of the second half.

“We had good looks and didn’t miss by much,” Dixie coach Burt Myers said of the game in which Castro had seven saves for the Panthers.

“Our team is beginning to learn we’re capable of scoring on other than perfect opportunities. That’s what Tauri did on his goal. He just took it and ripped it.”

Dixie (8-1) will close the regular season by entertaining Snow Canyon (9-0) on Friday night. The Flyers are the defending region (and state) champions.

“It’s deja vu,” Pine View coach Sam Johnston said. “Game after game after game, it’s the same thing. The first 40 was great. We did what we wanted to do. We did a lot of things right, but not for long enough.”

Pine View (2-7) will close the regular season at Desert Hills on Friday.

Snow Canyon 4, Hurricane 1

Snow Canyon won its ninth straight game to maintain its one-game lead over Dixie.

snow-canyon-logohurricane-logoFour different players – Angel Muniz, Axel Vichi, Max Kemp and Richard Vichi – scored for the Warriors. Dan Brubaker had a penalty kick for the Tigers (1-7-1).

Kemp had an assist on the first goal. Kemp’s goal came on a header off a corner kick.

“We got great play from Kadin Dorius filling in as center back,” noted SC coach Marc Wittwer. “We also got quality play from Dallen Moody and Parker Jenkins as well as goalkeepers Quinn Hargin and Brayden Brough.

Hurricane will play at Cedar with a possible playoff spot on the line Friday afternoon. The Tigers and Redmen are tied for fifth, two points behind Pine View (a win is worth three points and a tie is worth one).

Desert Hills 2, Cedar 0

The Thunder improved to 5-4 in region as they blanked the Redmen (1-7-1) on goals from Rocky Bunker and Hunter Spray. Isaiah Hacker had the shutout.

desert-hills-logocedar-logoKanon Heaton crossed a ball to Bunker, who headed the ball for Desert Hills’ first goal. Bridger Nelson assisted Spray for the second.

“Desert Hills dominated possession both halves,” noted coach Benji Nelson. “Nelson, Brennan Stewart and Jonny Rogers played excellent defense.”

Cedar will host Hurricane to close the regular season.

Region 9 boys soccer standings
Snow Canyon 9-0-0 (27 pts)
Dixie  8-1-0 (24 pts)
Desert Hills  5-4-0 (15 pts)
Pine View  2-7-0 (6 pts)
Cedar  1-7-1 (4 pts)
Hurricane 1-7-1 (4 pts)

 

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @oldschoolag

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bob Hudson is a graduate of Brigham Young University. He has been a sportswriter in central and southern Utah and Southeast Idaho. He has also worked as a news editor and managing editor. He has lived in St. George since 2000.

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