Following a disappointing defeat to Riverton earlier in the week — a contest which saw several players suspended because of an incident during the long bus ride from Smithfield to Riverton — many involved with Sky View boys soccer wondered whether the team could pull it together in time for the start of Region 5 play next Tuesday.
The Bobcats took a big step toward answering that question Thursday afternoon.
Against a depleted Highland team, Sky View played with much more resolve and cohesion, and the result was a 2-0 nonregion win over the Rams.
"I think that's a big step forward for us. That's a highly skilled Highland team out there, and I was really proud," said Sky View coach Doyle Geddes. "We had a great effort. Great energy from us, which was good to see."
Some of the most killer goals in soccer are scored just before halftime and just after it, and Sky View got one of each Thursday. Both goals, particularly the second, seemed to take the life out of Highland.
The Rams, who were without several key players because of academic problems, controlled most of the play in the first half, only to find themselves trailing in the 38th minute. A defensive error played Sky View's Jake Hawkes behind Highland's backline, and after his initial shot was blocked, Hawkes maintained his cool and fired the ball into the net.
Six minutes into the second half, Tyson Kelly doubled the Bobcats' lead when he headed home a Lathan Lawson free kick.
From there, Sky View largely held Highland in check. Lawson, a central midfielder, helped distribute play at the other end.
The Bobcats have one more nonregion tune-up — today at Wasatch — before hosting top-ranked Bountiful to begin Region 5 action next Tuesday.
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"We had a real setback with Riverton," said Geddes. "As a team, we needed to see this (against Highland). As a team, we'll build on this (at Wasatch) and look forward to Bountiful Tuesday."
Meanwhile, Highland's next match will be against Region 6 foe Murray on Tuesday. The Rams played a lot of solid soccer in the opening half, and they'll look to build on that going forward.
"We dominated the first half, (but) I think our youth got the better of us," said first-year coach Eric Bliss, who takes over after Gulliver LaValle resigned because of personal reasons. "I think we got down a goal, and once that happened, we lost our resolve."
In other games:
REGION 17
CHRISTIAN HERITAGE 7, MOUNT VERNON 1:Colton Kley had a hat trick, Steffen Voet was the winning goalie, and four other players contributed scores for the Crusaders.
NONREGION
CANYON VIEW 6, MILLARD 1: The Falcons got to a 4-0 lead by halftime and did not look back.
MOUNTAIN CREST 0, PARK CITY 0 (2OT): The Mustangs and Miners played to a scoreless draw after a red card forced Park City to play a man down throughout the second half.
FREMONT 2, MORGAN 0:Trevor Mann assisted Kody Hunter's goal in the 14th minute, and Curtis Soelberg had the assist on Spencer Rose's score in the 38th minute. K.C. John recorded the shutout for the Silver Wolves.
GRAND 3, CARBON 2:Carlin Walker had 10 saves for the Red Devils while Jake Malone had 11 saves for the Dinos.
SPRINGVILLE 4, TOOELE 3 (2OT):Andrew Dearden found the back of the net twice for the Red Devils. The Buffaloes scored twice in the second half to force the game to overtime sessions.
WASATCH 5, PAYSON 1:Chito Capunay found the back of the net twice for the Wasps while Mathew Wheatley scored a goal and had two assists. Skyler Bamgartner also had two assists. Tyson Day was the winning goalie.
OREM 2, SPANISH FORK 1:Sonny Chandara and Tyler Boulter split the posts as Cameron Clark earned the win for the Tigers.
WOODS CROSS 2, PROVO 1:Blake Cope scored two goals as the Wildcats came from behind to get the win against the Bulldogs.
GRANGER 2, NORTHRIDGE 2 (2OT):Fabian Flores scored the tying goal in the second half as the Lancers and Knights played to a 2-2 tie.
BONNEVILLE 2, CLEARFIELD 0: The Lakers' Gavin Garfide tallied a shutout, while Jake Ames and Jake Mcintire each found the back of the net in the win over the Falcons.
SNOW CANYON 2, UINTAH 1:Cody Monson and Matt Kolar split the posts while Trevor Moore was the winning goalie.
TIMPVIEW 2, MOUNTAIN VIEW 1:Sean Clark scored six minutes into overtime to give the T-Birds the win. Scott Heaton also scored for Timpview. Travis Fuller scored the Bruins' lone goal.
E-mail: drasmussen@desnews.com