Wasatch girls soccer gets by Lehi
Wasatch midfielder Adysen Larsen (12) and Lehi Midfielder Malaree Weller (25) fight for the ball during a Lehi High School home girls soccer game against Wasatch High School Friday, August 12, 2016, in Lehi. DOMINIC VALENTE, Daily Herald
Lehi High School goalkeeper MaKenna Fano saves a ball headed for the net during a Lehi High School home girls soccer game against Wasatch High School Friday, August 12, 2016 in Lehi. DOMINIC VALENTE, Daily Herald
Wasatch midfielder Kym Brown (6) and Lehi midfielder Brittany Thorson (3) fight for the ball during a Lehi High School home girls soccer game against Wasatch High School Friday, August 12, 2016, in Lehi. DOMINIC VALENTE, Daily Herald
A scuffle for the ball ensues and players fall during a Lehi High School home girls soccer game against Wasatch High School Friday, August 12, 2016, in Lehi. DOMINIC VALENTE, Daily Herald
Lehi player Samantha Peterson (22) makes a steal during a Lehi High School home girls soccer game against Wasatch High School Friday, August 12, 2016, in Lehi. DOMINIC VALENTE, Daily Herald
Lehi High School goalkeeper MaKenna Fano stretches at halftime during a Lehi High School home girls soccer game against Wasatch High School Friday, August 12, 2016, in Lehi. DOMINIC VALENTE, Daily Herald
Lehi player Reagan Shepard (14) and Wasatch McCall Scovil (13) fight for the ball during a Lehi High School home girls soccer game against Wasatch High School Friday, August 12, 2016, in Lehi. DOMINIC VALENTE, Daily Herald
A scrum for the ball ensues during a Lehi High School home girls soccer game against Wasatch High School Friday, August 12, 2016, in Lehi. DOMINIC VALENTE, Daily Herald
Wasatch midfielder Adysen Larsen (12) steals the ball during a Lehi High School home girls soccer game against Wasatch High School Friday, August 12, 2016, in Lehi. DOMINIC VALENTE, Daily Herald
Wasatch midfielder Adysen Larsen (12) and Lehi Midfielder Malaree Weller (25) fight for the ball during a Lehi High School home girls soccer game against Wasatch High School Friday, August 12, 2016, in Lehi. DOMINIC VALENTE, Daily Herald
LEHI — The Wasatch girls soccer team finally scored with 11 minutes left in the match and then held off a furious late charge by Lehi for a 1-0 road victory over the Pioneers Friday afternoon.
The teams battled toe-to-toe through most of the contest, which was the season opener for the home squad and the first official appearance for new coach Matthew Roberts.
As is usually the case when the season starts, the defenses were ahead of the offenses and made it difficult for either side to score. The two goalkeepers, junior Hannah Johnston for the Wasps and MaKenna Fano for Lehi, also did a nice job in the nets.
However, with time running down, junior Adysen Larsen broke loose on the left wing, drove deep, and then crossed her shot into the far corner of the target. An attacking midfielder, Larsen is a team captain along with Kym Brown, who also worked hard in the game.
Wasatch coach Dawain Wheatley hasn’t yet settled on his defensive lineup and used multiple subs in the back in this contest.
Among those who helped protect the shutout for the visitors were junior Macy Risto, junior Christina Rhees, sophomore Kymberlee Baird, junior Mikayla Hall and sophomore Callie Griffeth.
For the home squad, Breahna Turner, Olivia Burnham and Reagan Shepherd were key for the defense. Kylee Haunga provided some deep, dangerous opportunities on the attack, and Mylee Clements took the final try for her team.
“Matt’s doing a nice job with these girls,” said Wheatley. “Their center back is a really good player. I know their program just got split, but they’re going to be OK. They’re moving in the right direction. They’re having fun, and that’s important.”
As for his own squad, “We’re going to come along but it’s going to take us a while,” he said. In his first two matches, the coach has employed four different back lines as he tries to find the best combination for that critical spot on the field.
“I’m pleased with the two groups that played today,” he said. “They did well restricting space and fronting the ball.”
The Pioneers (0-1-0) next welcome Sky View (1-0-0) Tuesday at 7 p.m., while the Wasps (1-1-0) host Cedar (0-0-0) Friday at 4 p.m.