It's statement that may be overused and cliche, but still seems to ring true — defense wins championships.
The Cottonwood girls soccer team made a change hoping that its defense could carry it farther than last year's semifinal appearance in the 5A state tournament. So far it seems to be paying dividends.
The Cottonwood defense shutout Hunter, 3-0, Tuesday afternoon to raise the Colts' Region 3 record to 6-0.
Region 3 leader Cottonwood started the season a little slower than it would have liked. The team had high expectations considering it was returning a number of starters from last season's squad. The Colts were an even 3-3 starting region-play and had given up 12 goals in their three losses. That was before they began region play, and before Cottonwood coach Amanda Bollinger decided to make a change.
Marli Martin was one of the state's more dangerous midfielders and goal scorers last season and remained that way at the beginning of this year. But with the defense struggling, Bollinger moved Martin to the defense as the team's sweeper and the team has thrived ever since.
"The move strengthens our defense," said Bollinger. "It's paid off in that it's given the whole team confidence."
Danielle Peterson is just a freshman goalkeeper, but she has been improving every game. Besides moving Martin to the back, it has been Peterson's emergence that has helped the Colts in their run through Region 3.
"Our goalie has been getting better every game, and moving Marli has helped give her extra confidence back there," Bollinger added.
Since the move, the Colts have allowed just three goals, and including Tuesday's game have shutout four of their last five opponents.
The offense has hardly struggled with the move as well. During their six-game winning streak, the Colts scored 30 goals while only giving up the three.
Just like most of the season, the Colts were led Tuesday by Megan Ohai and Kilee Quigley. In the 24th minute the duo hooked up for the team's first score. Ohai beat a couple of defenders on the dribble before feeding Quigley about 20 yards from the goal. Quigley took the pass and fired a shot to the lower-left corner of the net to get the lead.
Stefani Shiozaki scored in the 30th minute on a shot from the left wing that caught the keeper out of position. Ohai scored the game's last goal in the 37th minute on an assist from Martin. The sweeper hit a ball 30 yards in the air right Ohai's feet. The prolific scorer did the rest as she again beat several defenders before hitting the ball back across her body to the back post. With the Colt defense doing the rest, it was all the team would need.
Neither team could find the net in the second half as Peterson and Hunter goalie Sarah Jorgensen each made several quality saves.
"We still need to keep working hard," said Bollinger. "If you settle for where you are, someone will pass you by. Even if you win, you can't become complacent."
The Colts will look to continue their perfect region record when they play Taylorsville on Thursday. Hunter will try to rebound when it hosts Granger.
In other games Tuesday:
REGION 1
NORTHRIDGE 4, LAYTON 2:Kelsie Ehlers scored three goals in the second half to lead her squad back from a 2-1 deficit. Alix Berryessa scored the lone goal for the Knights in the first half.
VIEWMONT 5, CLEARFIELD 2:Erin Dalley led Viewmont's offensive attack with three goals.
REGION 2
ALTA 7, BRIGHTON 0:Whitney Feller netted a hat trick as Alta rolled over its rival in Region 2.
RIVERTON 1, COPPER HILLS 0:Shanna Nielson scored in the 50th minute to lead Riverton.
JORDAN 8, WEST JORDAN 1: Jordan's Jessi Rossi led all scorers with three goals.
BINGHAM 4, HILLCREST 0: Bingham found no trouble blanking the Huskies and earning its ninth Region 2 win in 10 games.
REGION 3
KEARNS 8, GRANGER 1:Sarah Lovatao picked up the hat trick for the Cougars. Five other Cougars found the net.
SKYLINE 11, TAYLORSVILLE 1:Sara Monsen and Jessica Wortley both scored hat tricks in the easy win.
REGION 4
BONNEVILLE 3, BOX ELDER 0:Emily Freshman, Jessica Thompson and Missy Miles each had goals as the Lakers scored all three goals in the first half to knock off the Bees. Shelly Manuel earned the shutout.
MOUNTAIN CREST 3, SKY VIEW 2:Erika Mouritsen hit the gamewinner for Mountain Crest in the second half.
REGION 5
BOUNTIFUL 5, WEST 0:Lauren Ridling tallied twice for the Braves, while net-minder Molly Merril had the shutout for Bountiful.
WOODS CROSS 1, MURRAY 0 (OT): Wildcats' Kassidy Christensen scored the golden-goal six minutes into overtime as Chelsea Christensen won the duel between goalkeepers.
OLYMPUS 3, HIGHLAND 0: The Titans got goals from Alex Badger, Rachel Perkins and Kelly Janson, while goalkeeper Tenley Rawlings shutout the Rams.
REGION 6
SPRINGVILLE 2, PAYSON 0:Crosby Joyner and Karissa Henage both scored second-half goals for Springville to push its Region 6 unbeaten streak to six.
AMERICAN FORK 3, SPANISH FORK 0: Adrienne Schneider scored the second and third goals for American Fork in a shutout victory.
TIMPVIEW 3, PROVO 1:Simmi Chahai, Kristina Nibley and Antonieta Yazzie each knocked in goals and Candice Clark assisted on two goals for the Thunderbirds. Freshmen Kelsey Kimbal and Kellie Woodfield shutdown the Bulldog attack.
REGION 7
MOUNTAIN VIEW 2, PLEASANT GROVE 0: Mountain View's Keisha Christensen and the Bruin defense shutdown the Viking offense to improve their record to 3-2 in the region. Auna Jones and Calin Boswell each scored for the Bruins.
TIMPANOGOS 2, LONE PEAK 1 (OT):Shayla Adams led a pass to Stacey Bartholomew to pick up the golden-goal three minutes into the first overtime to keep the Timberwolves unbeaten this year. Timpanogis' Jessica Nelson opened the scoring then the Knights equalized the score with a goal from Chelsi Roberts.
REGION 8
DELTA 6, CARBON 0:Monica Christensen and Erin Topham scored two goals each for Delta.
REGION 9
PINE VIEW 3, HURRICANE 0: Pine View remained unbeaten (5-0-1) with the win.
SNOW CANYON 3, CANYON VIEW 0: Snow Canyon forward Rebecca Ricks tallied two goals, including a wonder-goal inside the 18-yard box. Ricks went on a 50-yard run, seperated herself from her defender, and ripped a shot past Canyon View's keeper.
DIXIE 2, CEDAR 1: Dixie jumped out to the early lead, scoring two goals in the first eight minutes, and it proved to be a lead Cedar could not match.
REGION 10
WASATCH 2, UINTAH 1 (OT): Freshman Alyson Baird scored the game-winning goal for Wasatch on her 15th birthday. Debbie Sparti scored the first goal for Wasatch.
PARK CITY 1, JUDGE MEMORIAL 1: Judge Memorial and Park City failed to reach a conclusion, resolving the match in a tie.
REGION 11
BEAR RIVER 3, TOOELE 0:Shantel Christensen, Lisa Petersen, and Kelli Garrett each scored one goal for Bear River. Tiffany Morton earned the shutout in goal.
BEN LOMOND 5, GRANTSVILLE 0: Five Ben Lomond players scored and Brandy Knotts earned the shutout as goalkeeper.
OGDEN 6, MORGAN 3:Shaylee Stegen led Orem with four goals, as the Tigers double up Morgan to remain perfect in Region 11.
REGION 14
WATERFORD 10, ST. JOSEPH 2: Waterford's Nicole Taylor fired in three goals while teammate Summer Tillotson added two goals in an overwhelming victory.
JUAN DIEGO 11, SOUTH SUMMIT 1:Kara Vitacca scored four goals in the easy win for Juan Diego. Sister Taryn Vitacca added two goals.
ROWLAND HALL 5, MILLARD 0: Freshman Jane Etherington turned the tide for Rowland Hall's offense, igniting a four-goal second half.
E-mail: mblack@desnews.com