Park City thinks it has already won the 3A state soccer championship after defeating Wasatch 3-0 in Friday's semifinals at Lehi - just ask coach Julian Martinez.
"We are going to celebrate tonight," he said. "We are in a rebuilding mode this year. We have already gone farther this year than we ever thought we would. Anything after this is icing."Park City's bonus game will be today at 2 p.m. against Lehi, winners of a 2-0 contest against Pine View in the first game of the semifinals.
Friday's cold front helped the mountain dwelling Miners feel right at home.
"It was actually kind of warm for us," said Jordan Krieger who scored a goal for Park City and sets up the team's whole offense. "We are the only team that plays in the cold (all season)."
While the Miners may be rebuilding, they may be building a dynasty. They have only two senior starters to go along with their four freshmen contributors. Hallie Wintzer, who scored twice, is only a sophomore while Krieger is a junior and one of the top 3A players in the state.
Lehi 2, Pine View 0: The Pioneers had the advantage of playing on their home field and controlled the game against the Panthers.
"It makes a difference," said Lehi coach Brett Bergholm. "It's the travel factor."
The Panthers arrived in Lehi just after a cold front and it seemed to slow Pine View down. A cold wind blew across the field much of the game mixed with rain and snow on occasion. The middle of the field especially became a bit soggy.
"It (the field) was sloppy," Bergholm said. "The key to the game is we won every ball out of the air."
He was also pleased with the Pioneer defense that allowed only a few good shots on freshman goalie Lynnsey Asay.
"Those four (defenders) are a key for our team. We have had the same four back there all year."
Sophomore Cassidi Elton started the scoring with a sliding shot past Pine the Pine View keeper in the first half. Her goal and the Lehi defense would have been enough but senior Maryanne Vanderhoef added an insurance goal to lock things up.
"I love to run and love to score," Vanderhoef said, "but the defense was awesome."