DRAPER — The Idaho Falls Lobos are hoping to join the Men's Premier Soccer League next year. This is what is called their "provisional" year. If Saturday's matchup against the Utah Salt Ratz is any indication, then the Lobos have some work to do if they want to be competitive. The Ratz whipped the Lobos 6-0 behind goals by five different players.
Utah dominated the attack all night. They used a well balanced, well spaced build-up to create numerous scoring chances. They also used just a little luck. Granted that good things come to those who prepare and create opportunities for it to happen, but Utah was fortunate on their first three tallies. Just four minutes into the contest the Ratz caught a break as Bryce Strevenson streaked down the sideline and tried to center a cross to a teammate. A Lobo jumped in front of the cross to try to clear it only to have it deflect awkwardly and bounce past the keeper for the first goal.
Their second goal was scored by Scott Jones who admitted to having a little luck on the play.
"I was suppose to be the decoy, but the ball just bounced off me; I couldn't get out of the way," said Jones about his knocking in the goal on a corner kick. The third goal came by way of a penalty kick. George Grygar missed the initial try, but was fortunate enough to have the rebound come right back at him where he slotted the ball into the net.
The Ratz would go on to net two more first have goals scored by Kenny Hickman and KC Nordfors. "Anytime you can put up half a dozen on the scoreboard you must be doing something right," said Ratz coach Dominic Militello. "The surprising thing is I actually thought we played a better half of soccer in the second half," continued Militello even though Utah only managed one second half goal by Nordfors. The two goals for Nordfors will almost certainly keep him in the lead as the MPSL's leading scorer. He came into the game with the lead.
The Ratz controlled the midfield and the tempo of the game. They were aided by the ejection of a Lobo in the 41st minute after a vicious tackle and a red card. With a man down, and the Ratz already in control, there were several stretches of the game where Utah would hold possession of the ball for minutes at a time.
Militello was happy to have such a large cushion for the second half. The lead allowed him to try some different combinations of players and positions in preparation for next week's big game. The Ratz play the Chico Rooks next Friday at Juan Diego in what will be a contest for first place. The Rooks handed Utah their only MPSL loss on the year, and are tied with the Ratz with the same 5-1 record.
"We've got something to prove against Chico. They beat us the first time, and we will have to pick it up a notch if we want to beat them," finished Militello.