SANDY — This following is a disclaimer for anyone reading this article: the final score is not a misprint, even though soccer aficionados might think so.
Thanks to a pair of goals from Andy Bell and Jaden Evans, Viewmont throttled Alta 6-1 Tuesday afternoon in a game pitting traditional 5A powers.
With a 4-0 record and a goal differential of 20-2, it would be easy for the Vikings to start getting a little cocky, but Viewmont coach Casey Layton is making sure he says all the right things.
"We're just trying to take it one game at a time," said Layton. "We're past the first part of our season, and we have some good momentum going into region play."
Viewmont's preseason dominance is bad news for Region 1 teams, including defending state champion and preseason No. 1 Layton. The Lancers beat the Vikings in last year's 5A state championship game, but after lopsided results like Tuesdays, Viewmont clearly has the upper hand heading into league play.
"These guys have worked really hard and they continue to have great attitudes," said coach Layton.
Despite Viewmont's big victory, Alta had a golden opportunity to make a game of it in the 49th minute. Trailing 3-1, Alta was awarded a penalty kick when Viewmont defender Bryce Tueller tackled Alta's Jaron Sheppard at the edge of the penalty area.
Viewmont keeper Alex Ipson wasn't sweating it. He anticipated Colin Russell's penalty kick perfectly, punching it wide to preserve the 3-1 victory.
"That game could've done a 180 on us, but Ipson made a great save," said Layton.
Ten minutes after the rare penalty kick save, Ashton Dymock extended Viewmont's lead to 4-1 on a blast from the top of the box that Alta's goalie nearly saved. By the time the final whistle blew, Evans and Mike Christensen both scored to send a big message to the folks in 5A.
Bell sent an even bigger message in the opening half hour. Less than 24 hours after getting four teeth knocked out in a collision with Hunter's keeper Monday, Bell scored a pair of fantastic first half goals in leading Viewmont to the early 2-0 lead.
Bell went to the dentist Monday evening to have his teeth wired back into place. The dentist said as long as he wore a mouthpiece and could handle the pain, he was cleared to play. Bell now has six goals in four games.
In other games Tuesday:
REGION 5
EAST 2, HIGHLAND 1: A goal each from John Pearson and Kevin Thorup paced the Leopards to a narrow victory over the Rams.
OLYMPUS 1, MURRAY 0 (OT): In overtime Olympus' Brent Jensen scored the golden goal on Spencer Lucak's assist as the Titans were able to get the win. David Castillo and Dustin Jensen combined for Olympus to earn the shutout
BOUNTIFUL 4, CYPRUS 1: The Braves jumped out early on the Pirates with three first-half goals.
REGION 17
CHRISTIAN HERITAGE 2, INTERMOUNTAIN CHRISTIAN 0:Justin Watts and Colton Kley each scored for Christian Heritage.
MOUNT VERNON 2, DUGWAY 1:Jose Paloma scored a pair of goals to lead Mount Vernon past Dugway in both teams' region opener.
NONREGION
WEBER 3, MORGAN 0:Garrett Swift, Austin Okelberry and Skyler Campbell all scored first half goals as the Warriors improved to 3-0.
SKY VIEW 5, GRANGER 0: Sky View's Eric Anderson scored four goals and assisted on a fifth by Brian Hebdon as the Bobcats defeated the Lancers. Logan Hull notched the shutout for Sky View.
RIVERTON 2, HUNTER 1: Riverton's Robbie Brito netted a goal in the first minute of the second half to break a 1-1 tie, and the Silverwolves held on to defeat Hunter. Colby Densley added a first-half goal for Riverton.
TOOELE 3, PINE VIEW 0: Tooele received great performances on both sides of the ball as Clint Johnson scored two goals while goalie Doug Hurst shut out the visiting Pine View team. Hayden Farly added another goal for Tooele.
BEAR RIVER 3, WATERFORD 2 (OT):Anthony Roring scored three minutes into the first overtime to lift the Bears past the Ravens. Todd Miller and Seth Hansen both scored regulation goals for Waterford.
LOGAN 1, BEN LOMOND 0: The Grizzlies scored a goal early in the second half to lead them past the Scots.
UNION 2, GRANTSVILLE 0:Brent Nelson scored two goals, one in each half, to lead Union over Grantsville. Alan Embleton picked up the shutout.
BRIGHTON 2, ROY 0:Dallas Stephenson and Leo Sagebin scored first-half goals and Jaddon Rogers was perfect at keeper to help lead 5A's top-ranked Bengals past Roy.
DAVIS 4, SKYLINE 4: The Darts and Eagles struggled defensively as each team gave up four goals. Justin Braun netted two goals for the Eagles. Davis' goals were scored by Ryan Satterthwaite, Kacey Haacke, Brandon Bacon and Ryan Robinson.
PARK CITY 1, LAYTON 1 (2OT):Aaron McKinley scored early in the second half to give the Lancers a 1-0 lead, but the Miners' Nic Tucker scored for Park City.
BINGHAM 2, TAYLORSVILLE 1: The Miners' Jon Olson scored in the 70th minute, and then Taylorsville handed Bingham the victory win an own goal.
PLEASANT GROVE 2, TIMPVIEW 1 (OT):Brett Waters' goal nine minutes into overtime lifted the Vikings to an impressive victory.
FREMONT 1, BONNEVILLE 0:Jace Ropelato scored in the fifth minute and Trevor Higley netted his second consecutive shutout. Tab Robbins assisted on the goal.
HILLCREST 0, MOUNTAIN VIEW 0 (2OT): Hillcrest and Mountain View each earned their first draws.