Prep soccer: Lehi edges Snow Canyon; Thunder win big again

Written by Bob Hudson
March 12, 2016
Snow Canyon's Alex Tholen (18), Snow Canyon vs. Lehi, Soccer, St. George, Utah, Mar. 12, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News

ST. GEORGE – As he gathered his team around him following a 1-0 loss to Lehi, Snow Canyon soccer coach Mark Wittwer pointed out a truism of the sport: “Sometimes the better team doesn’t win.”

snow-canyon-logoThe Warriors dominated the Pioneers in the first half, getting off eight shots to zero, but Lehi’s goalkeeper stopped five of them and two others sailed over the goal.

Second-half play was more even with Lehi getting off six shots and Snow Canyon with five. But Carter Rios scored the lone goal in the 28th minute.

Snow Canyon's Yetzel Carrillo (23), Snow Canyon vs. Lehi, Soccer, St. George, Utah, Mar. 12, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Snow Canyon’s Yetzel Carrillo (23), Snow Canyon vs. Lehi, Soccer, St. George, Utah, Mar. 12, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News

Axel Vicki had a couple of good shots for the Warriors in the late going but couldn’t get the ball into the goal. His shot just before the final whistle was just wide.

“I thought we played well as a team,” said Wittwer. “I thought we played our kind of soccer, but we need to work on finishing. Overall I was very pleased with our play.”

Wittwer praised the play of Adrian Torres in the back line and Kevin Schone and Angel Muniz in the midfield.

“Lehi is a good team,” Wittwer said. “They went to the semifinals in 5A last year and are rated in the top three this year.”

The Warriors will entertain Logan on Friday and travel to Stansbury and Highland next Saturday.

Desert Hills 8, Box Elder 0

Hunter Spray had four goals and an assist to lead the Thunder. Bridger Nelson, Jake Simms, Christian Cottle and Tommy Webb had the other goals. Kanon Heaton had four assists.

desert-hills-logoIsiah Heaton had the shutout in goal, preserving it with a save on a penalty kick.

“Our entire team is working hard and playing defense,” said coach Benji Nelson. “It’s team effort which is helping us keep other teams scoreless.”

Next week, the Thunder play Carbon at 10 a.m. on Friday and entertain Hurricane in a preseason match at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Dixie 9, Summit Academy 1

After struggling to score in their previous two games, the Flyers went on a rampage against the Bears.

dixie-logoDixie led 7-0 at the half and coasted home with its first win of the season.

“We played a lot of kids and they all did a good job,” said Dixie coach Burt Myers. “Connor Buehner did a great job today along with Tauri Morales.

“We were able to work on a few things tactically today. Our players have a lot of energy and play hard. I’m excited for this team.”

Nine different players had goals for the Flyers, including Morales, Tyler Bennett, Kortland Warnick, Sergio Diaz, Isaac Diaz, Cristian Sanchez, Erik Dominguez and Tanner Hansen. Josh Augustein had Summit Academy’s goal.

Alta 6, Pine View 0

pine-view-logoMitch Fisher and Elliott Smith each had two goals as the Hawks blanked the Panthers. Chandler Syrett had the shutout.The Panthers next action is when they host Canyon View Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at Panther Stadium.

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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