SUGAR HOUSE— Some people say that in order to have a rivalry, there have to be wins by both sides. Including Thursday's 1-0 win for East, Highland has not beaten East in girls soccer this decade. But don't tell the players or coaches that it is not a rivalry.
"The games are always close, and these girls put a little bit more emphasis on playing Highland. They all know each other," said Leopards' coach Mike Kernodle. "They haven't beaten us, but you put two schools just a couple of blocks apart, and it is definitely a big-time rivalry."
With the two teams putting a little extra emphasis on beating the neighbors, it must have been that much more satisfying for East to not only shut out the Rams but do it by the method in which it accomplished the feat. The Leopards dominated in every aspect of the game. Possession, shots, corner kicks, shots on goal. It didn't matter which phase of the game, East was in control.
The Leopards used a straight-back four-person defense that totally shut down the Highland attack. Without having a deep sweeper, it was extra important for the middle defenders of Lauren Porter and Rachel Larson to keep Highland's dangerous scoring forwards Britt Edman and Kathryn Burruss under wraps. They did that and thwarted any other Rams in the attack as goalkeeper McKenzie Garn got the shutout but was never seriously challenged.
"I thought defensively we played outstandingly," said Kernodle. "They all were on the same page and did a good job of working as a unit and limiting Highland's chances."
The midfield dominated the possession and passing. Whitney Aland, Erika Cook, Maddie Ford and Jane Nelson used a ball-controlled attack and knocked it around switching sides of the field quickly and putting the ball up front to forwards Jenny Cheng and Maggie Schmidt.
"Our passing really kept them on their heels," Kernodle added. "The passing was quick and accurate, and I was pleased with the speed of play we had today."
Using the passing and quick attack, East created numerous scoring chances. The Leopards continued to put the ball in dangerous spots, but either the finishing, the last pass or the cross let the team down. Of all the quality scoring opportunities, only one found the back of the net.
In the 34th minute, Nelson intercepted a clearance attempt from the Rams. She took two dribbles forward and fired a right-foot shot from 30 yards that cleanly beat the keeper to the top right of the goal for the game's lone tally.
"I think we are learning to play better together," said Kernodle of his team. "We have had a lot of close games, and hopefully we are learning to finish them off."
In other action Thursday:
REGION 1
DAVIS 3, NORTHRIDGE 1:Colette Jepson scored twice and Lauren Parkhurst found the net once, as the Darts scored twice in the waning minutes.
REGION 2
ALTA 1, SKYLINE 0:Kealia Ohai scored the lone goal for the Hawks with Summer Tillotson on the assist. Hailee DeYoung recorded the shutout.
JORDAN 2, BRIGHTON 0: It took a team effort by the Beetdiggers as Melissa Stuart and Aimee Haertell recorded one assist each. Bettina Oesch and Haley Dutson each scored a goal as Kirsten Anderson registered the shutout. Strong defense was played by Natalie Wheatley and Michelle Betenson.
REGION 3
BINGHAM 9, HUNTER 0: The Miners shutout Hunter with Cheyenne Mollcock and Sara Hansen in goal. Lachere Anglin and Jessica Henniger led the Bingham scoring with three goals each.
RIVERTON 3, COPPER HILLS 0:Theresa Crand, Laura Decker and Katie Bodily each scored goals for the Silverwolves as Terri Huntington recorded the shutout for Riverton.
REGION 4
AMERICAN FORK 4, MOUNTAIN VIEW 2: American Fork scored twice in each half to earn a Region 4 win as Slo Hernandez and Auna Janis split the pipes for the Bruins.
SPANISH FORK 3, PLEASANT GROVE 2 (2OT):Jennifer Youd netted the winning goal for the Dons as the Vikings forced overtime following a lightning delay. Chalese Meyer was the winning goalie as Haley Richardson added another score for Spanish Fork. Ty Hansen and Jamie Wilson each scored for Pleasant Grove.
LONE PEAK 2, TIMPANOGOS 0:Shantel Flanary and Elena Drake split the pipes as Hailey Brown earned the shutout for the Knights.
REGION 5
SKY VIEW 1, BONNEVILLE 0:Kali Hanby scored the lone goal of the match to lead Sky View over Bonneville. Shalie Nield recorded the shutout for the Bobcats.
WOODS CROSS 1, BOX ELDER 1:Kassidy Christensen scored for the Wildcats as Tiana Hammer netted one for the Bees.
MOUNTAIN CREST 4, ROY 2: The Royals outshot the Mustangs 14-9, but Mountain Crest made four attempts count as Tanesha Sayama scored twice. Rachel Strawn and Allie Johnson assisted Sarah Magers' two scores for Roy. Freshman goalie Jenah Forsyth had a solid game for the Royals.
REGION 6
COTTONWOOD 2, OLYMPUS 0: The Colts shut out the Titans behind goalie Megan Zollinger. Stefani Shiozaki and Canada Clawson each scored a goal for Cottonwood.
WEST 4, GRANGER 0:Chloe Rose and Alexis Hinchman scored twice for the Panthers as Katie Reberg and Hannah Feldman recorded the shutout for West.
MURRAY 10, CYPRUS 1:Elaina Pappas had a hat trick and three assists while Cecily Estrada added two goals as Shaylyn Kennedy was the winning goalkeeper for the Spartans. Kirstie Henroid recorded the lone goal for Cyprus.
REGION 7
OREM 4, LEHI 0:Rachel Herrmann and Brianne Larsen led Orem's defense in a hard-fought win over Lehi. The first three Tiger goals were scored by freshmen. Aly Tucker got the shutout in goal.
PROVO 4, TIMPVIEW 1: Provo downed Timpview with BreAnna Bowser scoring two goals as Chandra Salmon and Amber Wadsworth scored one each. Aubrey Reeves scored the lone goal for the T-birds.
SPRINGVILLE 5, PAYSON 0:Rachel Fischer led the Red Devils with two goals as Springville defeated Payson. Natalie Young, Brianna Blackwell and Karlie Jensen also scored, while Sadie Clements got the shutout for Springville.
REGION 8
JUAN DIEGO 10, CARBON 0: Juan Diego shutout Carbon as Jenna Spear and Jennifer Turnerdrown took turns at goalie. Kendra Spooner led the Soaring Eagle with four goals.
DELTA 4, NORTH SANPETE 2: McKenzie Petersen scored three goals and had one assist to lead the Rabbits to victory. Josie Bahr had one goal and two assists. Consuelo Serrano and Denise Montano led the Hawks in the loss.
REGION 9
DIXIE 2, SNOW CANYON 0:McCall Rynearson and Kalehua Harward each scored a goal to lead Dixie to the victory over Snow Canyon. Danielle Watts got the shutout in goal for Dixie.
PINE VIEW 2, CANYON VIEW 1:Michelle Judd and Nikki Johnson netted scores for the Panthers as Anna Lindsey was the winning goalie. Amanda Allen scored for the Falcons on a penalty kick.
HURRICANE 2, CEDAR 1:Nicole Woodbury and Chelsea Stout split the pipes for the Tigers as Julie Lundgren recorded the lone goal for Cedar. The game was tied with seven minutes to go before Hurricane scored the winning goal.
REGION 10
PARK CITY 8, UNION 0: Six different players scored for Park City as the Miners shutout Union. The Miners' scorers included Lisa Scaglion, Hannah Terry, Erika Vikander, Cassie Palmachie, Heidi Buetler and Penny Moffet. Goalkeepers Cassie Palmachie, Hannah Terry and Eli Reed shared the shutout for Park City.
REGION 11
BEN LOMOND 6, GRANTSVILLE 0: Ben Lomond's Jordan Greenfield scored twice in her first game back from an ACL injury as Lindsey Phelps earned the shutout. Other scorers included Lynsey Bowden, Angie Cano, and Stephanie Quinlan. The game was delayed by lightning.
LOGAN 1, OGDEN 0:Brenna Horrocks scored the lone goal with an assist from Elli Measom to lead the Grizzlies to the win. Sam Price recorded the shutout for Logan.
BEAR RIVER 1, TOOELE 0:Jessica Oyler recorded the shutout as Amanda Wilcox scored the lone goal for the Bears.
REGION 13
MILLARD 7, GRAND 0: Five different Eagles scored as Millard blanked Grand. Scorers included Maira Alcala, Jessica Wall, Loraina Aleman, Valerie Ortega and Maili Shields. Brittiny Rhodes and Amber Johnson shared the shutout at the goalie position.
REGION 14
WATERFORD 8, ST. JOSEPH 0: Katie Pelo registered the shutout as Nicole Taylor and Lanie Ward scored twice for the Ravens. Other scorers included: Madi Silva, Jackie Tillotson, Katie Crosland and Haley Karg.