It doesn't matter if Orem's backup goalie is in the game, if there are three freshmen on the back line, or if the Tiger defense looks completely different than it did a year ago -- Orem's goal is still closed for business.

Just how dominant has the Tiger defense been? It has been more than 600 minutes, or 10 hours of game time, since anyone has scored on them. This season, Orem has outscored its opponents 17-0.

So much for a rebuilding year after the 2007 state champions lost most of their starters to graduation.

In addition to freshman Megan Sackett in the goal, Orem's defense featured freshmen Maddie Bowen and Kate Balser, as well as junior Steinia Dort.

"They're always pressuring the ball well and they don't make a lot of mistakes," said Orem coach Ed Louder about his defense. "I just think they're so smart and they play off each other so well. And they're strong and fast; they've got a lot going for them."

All of the scoring Orem would need came from an outstanding individual effort by McNeil. After taking a cross into the middle, McNeil niftily dribbled several times to her left, through the Mountain View defense, before poking the ball into the right side of the net from about 15 yards out.

"It was lucky, I just got through a couple players and tapped it in," McNeil said. "It was a good cross."

Louder added, "Kaci just didn't give up on the ball."

Mountain View had its chances to score, but never could capitalize. Shalayne Janis was thwarted in the 10th minute after creating a brief opening with a nice move. Lexi Robison's shot later in the first half missed to the right. One of the Bruins' best scoring chances came in the final minutes when Janis' shot deflected off of Anjie Lines and back to Robison. Robison managed to get a shot off, but couldn't get much on it and Sackett came up with the save.

"They put a lot of pressure on us," Louder said. "They put a lot of stuff up front and ran hard on us, but the defense and Megan turned back what they had to."

Much of the credit for the shutout also goes to the Tiger midfield of Maggie Plothow, Jenna Bowen and Kristen Bodine, who rarely let a ball get through them as they controlled the tempo for most of the game.

"Anything that dropped in the middle of the field they were able to get something on it, or give pressure so that we could get help defense and turn the ball back," Louder said. "They didn't get a lot of possession in our half."

Orem's defense could be even tougher on Tuesday at Timpview when starting keeper Hilary Smith is expected to return from an injury. Sackett will move back to her forward position were she will try to score goals instead of prevent them.

Mountain View (1-5-0, 1-1-0) will play next at home on Tuesday against Tooele.