ST GEORGE – Snow Canyon officially stands atop Region 9.
With its 1-0 win against reigning champ Cedar, the Warriors accomplished what it couldn’t last season and in so doing, firmly established themselves as southern Utah’s team to beat.
“This was a big win,” Warriors coach Ken Kunde said. “Last year we lost to them in Cedar and tied in our place. They’re the defending region champs. Playing against them is a nice way to see where your team is at. Cedar is at the top of the list.”
Kaylee Brooks scored the game’s only goal with 25 minutes remaining in the first half. The 5-foot-6 junior took a pass from Tirsa Snyder, on a cross from Cami Bergen, and squeezed the ball past Region 9’s top goal keeper, Tara Shipp.
“We had a lot of other opportunities to score,” Kunde said. “But Shipp is a great keeper. She made some great saves.”
The Warriors controlled the ball through most of the game and held the Reds in check defensively, while Grace Walton recorded her fifth shutout of the season.
“We ended up getting after the kids a little bit in practice this week,” Kunde said. “They were complacent. We told them they worked too hard to let this opportunity slip by and that they have to stay focused. Now we have first place.”
The victory spelled sweet revenge for Snow Canyon, whose only loss of the season came at Cedar back in August.
Elsewhere in Region 9, Dixie won its third game in a row, defeating Desert Hills 4-3 in a tightly contested contest.
Cassidy Gray and Finess White notched a goal apiece, while Kestlie Reid recorded two for her team.
On the other end, Brittany Terry, Erica Hansen and Michelle Graf each scored for Desert Hills. But it wasn’t enough to overtake a red hot Dixie squad.
Pine View defeated Canyon View 3-0 for its fourth win of the year. Jordan Nees scored a goal while Kayla Hammond kicked in two.
Standings
Snow Canyon 8-1-0, 24 points
Cedar 5-2-2, 17 points
Pine View 4-3-2, 14 points
Dixie 3-3-2, 11 points
Desert Hills 3-4-2, 11 points
Hurricane 3-5-0, 9 points
Canyon View 0-9-0, 0 points
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @Oldschoolag
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2012, all rights reserved.