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Salem Hills boys lacrosse gets big plays to beat Orem in 5A first round

By Jared Lloyd - | May 17, 2022
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Salem Hills players rush onto the field to celebrate after winning the 5A first round game at Orem on Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
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Salem Hills senior Landon Butters (right) gets congratulated after scoring during the 5A first round game at Orem on Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
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Salem Hills and Orem players battle for the ball during the 5A first round game at Orem on Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
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Salem Hills senior Landon Butters attacks the goal during the 5A first round game at Orem on Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
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Salem Hills senior Jason Flinders (4) runs the ball upfield during the 5A first round game at Orem on Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
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Orem senior Jeff Lewis takes a shot during the 5A first round game against Salem Hills at Orem on Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
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Orem senior Jacob Hemmert passes the ball during the 5A first round game against Salem Hills at Orem on Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
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Salem Hills and Orem players battle for the ball during the 5A first round game at Orem on Tuesday, May 17, 2022.

Midway through the third quarter of Tuesday’s 5A first round game at No. 16-seeded Orem, the No. 17-seeded Salem Hills boys lacrosse team appeared to be in control.

The Skyhawks had built a 10-5 lead and the Tigers were having a tough time getting things going, making costly mistakes.

But this is the playoffs, so no one should expect an opponent to go down without a fight.

That was just what Orem did, rallying and forcing Salem Hills to come up with some critical plays down the stretch — including the game-winner from senior Landon Butters — to get the dramatic 11-10 victory and keep their season alive.

“In life, there are always ups and downs, and you’ve always got to overcome some difficulties,” Skyhawk head coach Ryan Dalton said. “In the end, we were able to do that. I can’t be happier for these boys and the hard work they put in.”

After getting in the big hole, the Tigers scored five straight goals with junior Michael Arnoldson notching the game-tying score with just over four minutes left in the game. Orem then won the next faceoff to have a chance to take the lead.

“As a coach, you’re sitting there trying to figure out what we can do better,” Dalton said. “We played earlier in the season and it was the same situation, with them coming. They are a tough team and they don’t give up. It comes down to weathering those moments, keeping your players calm. You pull them off a couple of times to say, it’s going to be OK, we will work through this.”

The Tigers got a couple of opportunities before the Salem Hills defense knocked the ball away, with sophomore Andy McKee scooping it up and racing the other way.

“My instinct was to call a timeout and stop the play right there so we could get our offense on and get the ball,” Dalton said. “But I held off, let Andy run down the field and get it to our our star player .”

But McKee stayed composed and found Butters in a dangerous position. The Skyhawk senior immediately went on the attack, challenging Orem sophomore keeper Peter Arnoldsen.

“I got a great pass from my defensive end,” Butters said. “I thought I had it on the first shot but their keeper made a great play on the ball. But it just came right back to my stick. I got it and was able to finish it before I went behind the goal. It was just a great play.”

Even after that goal, the Tigers still had time to answer. They attacked relentlessly, seeking to equalize once again.

“Standing there at midfield, all your can do is cross your fingers, hoping the defense will come up with a play,” Butters said. “Ultimately we did and they were able to clear it. It was a great stop there at the end.”

In the end, however, the Salem Hill defense stood tall and didn’t allow any goals. The Skyhawks got a turnover and were able to run out the clock to get their first playoff win.

“It means so much.,” Dalton said. “We’re such a new program. This is only our second year ever having a team and these boys, a lot of them this is their second every year playing. So they’re learning and growing, and so it’s amazing to be able to hit those milestones as a team.”

Butters said it felt amazing to come out on top for the first time in the playoffs.

“It’s awesome coming out here,” the Salem Hills senior said. “This is the second playoff game we’ve ever played. We knew we could win but we had to put it all together. It feels good to get that first playoff win in the books for us and hopefully lay a little foundation for the guys coming up in the next couple years.”

The Skyhawks know they face a monumental challenge as now they will head to play at No. 1-seeded Olympus. Dalton expects his boys to go out and see if they can give themselves a chance.

“It’s amazing to get the opportunity,” Dalton said. “In every memorable sports movie ever, it’s always the Goliath versus the David and we get that opportunity. We’re going prepare tomorrow and do our best. Regardless of the outcome, we’re gonna go out there and play our game.”

Salem Hills will go on the road to face the Titans in the 5A second round on Thursday at 4 p.m., with the winner advancing to the quarterfinals.

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